MANDI/KANGRA, July 29 — Relentless rain pounded Himachal Pradesh through Monday night into early Tuesday, triggering devastating flash floods and landslides that killed three people, left one missing, and paralyzed movement across key regions of the state.
In Mandi district, a sudden flash flood swept through Tungal Colony around 4 a.m., catching residents off guard. The deluge, caused by intense overnight rainfall, washed away dozens of parked vehicles, inundated homes, and left a trail of debris in its wake.
“Three lives have been lost, and one person remains unaccounted for,” said Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan. “One individual sustained critical injuries and has been hospitalized.”
The tragedy unfolded when four members of a family stepped out to move their vehicle to safety as water levels rose. A powerful current swept away three of them, according to Hardeep Singh Raja, councillor for Palace Colony. Two bodies have since been recovered, while rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local administration, and volunteers continue search efforts.
The impact on infrastructure has been severe. The Chandigarh–Manali highway is blocked at multiple points, including 4 Miles and 9 Miles near Pandoh, cutting off Mandi from Kullu. The Mandi–Pathankot highway also remains shut due to a landslide at Lavandi Bridge near Jogindernagar. Several interior roads have similarly become impassable due to mudslides and flooding.
District officials have urged residents to stay indoors and avoid travel unless necessary. Relief operations, including the provision of food, medical aid, and temporary shelters, are underway for those displaced.
Meanwhile, in Kangra district, a massive landslide struck the National Highway around 3 a.m., severing road access to Dharamsala, McLeodganj, and nearby towns. The highway was buried under boulders and debris following two days of unrelenting rain, stranding hundreds of vehicles.
Among those stuck were early-morning delivery vans, halting the supply of milk, newspapers, and other essentials across the region. “I have been stuck here since 4 a.m. There’s no word from the authorities,” said a delivery driver en route to Dharamsala.
Eyewitnesses reported that no official from the district administration, NHAI, or PWD reached the site for several hours. With no machinery deployed to clear the debris, the situation escalated amid continuing rainfall.
The blocked highway has once again raised serious concerns over the vulnerability of Himachal’s road infrastructure during the monsoon. The administration has not issued any timeline for road clearance or traffic restoration.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast more heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours, fuelling fears of further landslides, flash floods, and prolonged disruptions across the hill state.
