Himachal Pradesh: 10 Dead, 34 Missing in Mandi as Cloudbursts Trigger Devastating Flash Floods
Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), July 2, 2025 — At least 10 people have lost their lives and 34 remain missing in Mandi district following multiple cloudbursts and flash floods that have battered the region over the past 32 hours, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). The situation remains critical as rivers overflow, landslides block access, and search operations intensify.
🌧️ Cloudbursts Cause Widespread Chaos
The extreme weather began late on June 29, 2025, with successive cloudbursts hitting remote villages in the Sarkaghat, Balh, and Sundernagar subdivisions. Heavy downpours triggered sudden surges in water levels, sweeping away homes, livestock, and roads in low-lying areas.
🚁 Rescue and Relief Operations in Full Swing
District officials reported that State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, and local police have been deployed to the worst-hit areas. Helicopters were dispatched to airlift stranded individuals in inaccessible zones, while earthmovers are being used to clear debris and restore road connectivity.
🚧 Roads Blocked, Power Supply Snapped
Over 20 roads, including segments of National Highway-21, have been rendered impassable due to landslides and flood debris. Multiple villages are cut off, and power supply remains disrupted in over 50 panchayats. Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to move to higher ground and avoid riverbanks.
🏘️ Families Missing, Villages Submerged
The SEOC bulletin noted that several families are untraceable, with entire homes swept away by fast-flowing water. Rescue personnel are racing against time, searching through rubble and submerged houses. Temporary shelters have been set up in schools and community halls to accommodate displaced families.
🗣️ Government Response and Warnings
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the loss of lives and confirmed that financial assistance would be extended to victims’ families. He also directed the Revenue Department and Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure immediate relief and road clearance. Weather authorities have issued a red alert for the next 48 hours in Mandi, Kullu, and Chamba.
📆 Monsoon Fury Hits Himalayan States
This disaster adds to a growing list of climate-linked monsoon events hitting Himalayan states. Experts have raised concerns about increasing cloudburst frequencies in ecologically fragile regions like Himachal, urging improved disaster resilience and infrastructure planning.
