Kullu: Massive cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu and Kangra districts wreaked havoc, June 26, claiming at least two lives and leaving over a dozen people unaccounted for. The sudden bursts of torrential rain triggered violent flash floods that swept away homes, roads, vehicles, and even parts of infrastructure, leaving entire communities stranded and in fear.
In Kullu district, three separate cloudbursts were reported from the Jeeva Nallah and Rehla Bihal areas in Sainj, along with Shilagarh in the Gadsa region. Among the missing are three locals who were attempting to salvage their belongings when they were caught in the surge. Several homes and a school building are reported to have been extensively damaged.
Visuals from the ground paint a harrowing picture—raging muddy waters tearing through valleys, pulling down everything in their path. Authorities have deployed emergency teams and are racing against time in search and rescue operations, despite access being hampered by damaged roads and broken bridges.
Ashwani Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kullu, confirmed that flash floods have affected Manali and Banjar areas as well, with the Brahma Ganga stream in Manikaran Valley overflowing into residential zones. “There’s considerable structural damage, and the rising water poses a serious risk to more villages downstream,” he said.
BJP MLA Surender Shourie, who represents the region, termed the situation “deeply distressing.” “Sainj, Tirthan, and Garsa Valley are among the worst hit. Roads have caved in, and a bridge near Garsa has been washed away. I urge locals to stay away from rivers and nullahs until the situation stabilizes,” he appealed in a media briefing.
In Kangra district, the impact was equally severe. Two bodies have been recovered so far from the site of a small hydroelectric power plant near Dharamshala, where sudden flash floods swept away workers. Nearly ten more people remain missing.
“We are still combing the area. A list of the missing workers has been requested from the contractor managing the power project,” said Hemraj Bairwa, Deputy Commissioner of Kangra.
Warnings remain in effect across the state as river levels continue to swell. The Beas and Sutlej rivers have risen significantly, prompting fears of further flooding in lower areas.
