Himachal’s rain fury: 2 dead, 20 feared swept away in Kangra; cloudbursts, flash floods ravage state

NEW DELHI: At least two people have died and around 20 are feared swept away after a series of cloudbursts, flash floods, and heavy rain battered parts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, triggering widespread destruction across Kangra and Kullu districts.

Rescue teams recovered two bodies from the Manuni Khad stream in Kangra district, where floodwaters inundated a labour colony near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric Project site, news agency PTI reported. Officials said 15–20 labourers, who had taken shelter at the site after work was suspended due to rain, are feared missing after a sudden surge in the Khaniyara Manuni Khad swept through their settlement.

Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local administration, revenue department, and gram panchayats have launched a massive search and rescue operation. Some workers linked to the project have been reported safe.


BJP MLA from Dharamshala, Sudhir Sharma, confirmed on social media that about 20 workers were swept away in the Kangra incident. Rescue operations remain ongoing in difficult weather conditions.


Flash floods wreak havoc in Kullu
Meanwhile, cloudbursts in Kullu district caused severe flash floods, washing away homes, a bridge, shops, and parts of roads. Three people went missing in Rehla Bihal while trying to salvage belongings from their homes, officials said.

Flash floods were also reported in Manali and Banjar. In Banjar's Hornagad area, a bridge was destroyed and water entered a government school compound, damaging fields and a cowshed.

“I urge residents to stay away from rivers and drains. The damage in Sainj, Tirthan, and Gadsa is extensive,” said Banjar MLA Surinder Shauri, adding that the administration had been asked to act swiftly.

The Manali-Chandigarh highway was partially eroded near Manali after the swollen Beas River cut into its edge, though traffic continues to move. Videos from affected areas show submerged vehicles and gushing floodwaters causing destruction.

Rivers swell, roads blockedThe Beas and Sutlej rivers are flowing above normal levels, while roads in Lahaul-Spiti have been blocked due to landslides, debris, and overflowing drains. The route from Kaza to Samdoh remains impassable, local police said.

According to the MeT office, Palampur recorded the highest rainfall at 145.5 mm since Tuesday evening. Heavy rain also lashed Jogindernagar (113 mm), Nahan (99.8 mm), Baijnath (85 mm), and Dharamshala (54.1 mm), among others.

Gusty winds up to 56 kmph were reported in Tabo, while Kukumseri in Lahaul-Spiti was the coldest at 13.1°C and Una the hottest at 33.6°C.

The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in four to seven districts till June 29 and warned of low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur till Thursday evening.