Srinagar, June 26, 2025:
A devastating weather event struck Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, with cloudbursts and flash floods wreaking havoc across Kangra and Kullu districts. At least two people have been confirmed dead, while around 20 others are feared to have been swept away by surging waters, officials disclosed .
The calamity unfolded following multiple cloudbursts, triggering sudden and intense flooding that overwhelmed riverbanks, washed away homes and damaged critical infrastructure. Disaster response teams had to act quickly as the Beas and Sutlej rivers rose quickly.
In Kangra, the bodies of two people were found in the Manuni Khad, one of several torrents that overflowed their banks. Nearly 15 to 20 labourers resting at a hydroelectric project site in the vicinity were reported missing after floodwaters swept through temporary camps . Kullu district was also severely damaged. At least three people went missing as a result of three different cloudbursts in the Sainj, Rehla Bihal, and Gadsa regions. Floodwaters destroyed homes, swamped a school, washed out roads and collapsed small bridges. Orange-level weather alerts were activated by local administration officials to warn residents about landslides and other ongoing dangers.
The orange alert was maintained until June 29 after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported heavy rainfall in a number of hill districts. The state government has dispatched rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police and local authorities. Drones and helicopters are being utilized to access inaccessible and distant locations. "These cloudbursts release massive volumes of water in a few minutes, causing flash floods and landslides," said an IMD meteorological officer, adding that mountain terrain exacerbates the disasters' quick onset.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed condolences and confirmed that additional rescue units have been deployed, especially around the hydroelectric project and regions cut off by flooding. "Restoring connectivity and saving lives are our top priorities," he stated.
Residents have been asked to stay indoors during periods of heavy rain, report any emergencies right away, and stay away from areas that are prone to flooding. Road repair teams are working to restore vital routes, and the government has positioned additional medical camps along major highways.
There are still concerns that the number of missing could increase as search efforts continue in the midst of continuous rain. Communities are now preparing for more disruptions as a result of the tragedy's impact on tourism and local livelihoods.
