Flash Flood in Mandi Claims Three Lives, Schools Shut as Landslides Block Key Highways

Mandi:

A devastating cloudburst in the early hours of Tuesday, 29 July, triggered a flash flood in Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh, leading to the deaths of three individuals and the closure of all schools in the region. The incident occurred around 4 a.m., inundating the Jail Road area, submerging roads and houses, and leaving one person missing.

The flash flood, caused by continuous rain, brought debris that blocked several roads and stranded numerous vehicles. “Our teams are at the site for rescue and relief,” confirmed Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, as the district administration began clearance operations soon after the flood hit.

In response to the worsening situation, the sub-divisional magistrate of Mandi Sadar ordered all educational institutions to remain shut on Tuesday. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured that relief and rescue operations were underway and being closely monitored. “The state government stands with the affected people during this difficult time,” he stated.

The Mandi-Kullu stretch of the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway (NH-21) has been rendered impassable due to landslides at 4 Mile, 9 Mile (near Pandoh), and Dwara (near Aut). The Mandi-Jogindernagar stretch of NH-154 is also blocked following a landslide near Lawandi bridge. According to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), continuous rainfall has hampered restoration efforts.

As per government data, 266 roads across Himachal Pradesh remain closed, with 177 in Mandi district alone. Landslides have been reported in multiple locations, and rescue teams are working round-the-clock to clear debris and restore connectivity.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Kangra, Mandi, and Kullu districts. An official from the IMD said, “Light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places, heavy rainfall at a few and very heavy rainfall at isolated places in Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Una districts in the next few hours.”

Mandi has faced repeated natural disasters this monsoon season. On 30 June, 15 people lost their lives due to multiple cloudbursts. Over 1,100 houses have been damaged in the district this season.

Actor and Member of Parliament from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, shared her condolences on social media, saying, “The torrential rain that struck Mandi city last night has caused widespread destruction and suffering. My heartfelt condolences are with the grieving families. Many vehicles are buried under debris, and homes have suffered severe damage.”

Former Himachal Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, visited the affected areas and urged the government to provide swift support. “This year too, the rains have left a trail of devastation in Mandi. The recurring damage caused by rainfall is a matter of concern for the entire state,” he remarked.