MANDI, July 1 — Intense and continuous rainfall since late Monday has triggered multiple cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides across Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, leaving one person dead, 18 missing, and dozens stranded.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), aided by local authorities, has so far rescued at least 41 people from various high-risk zones as extreme weather continues to batter the region.
In the Karsog subdivision, a cloudburst killed one person and damaged several homes. Sixteen people, including 12 children and four women, were pulled to safety in rescue efforts that continued through the night. A family of seven from Riki village was also relocated to a secure shelter.
“Swift coordination between local teams and disaster response personnel helped prevent further casualties in Karsog,” said an official from the district administration.
Meanwhile, in Seraj’s Sianj Panchayat, a surging tributary of the Beas River—Jayuni Khad—swept away at least two homes. Nine individuals remain unaccounted for after being carried away by the floodwaters.
Damage was also reported in the Dharampur subdivision, where multiple houses and cowsheds in Syathi village were destroyed or washed away. No injuries or deaths have been confirmed from the area so far.
In a separate development, rising water levels in the Beas River downstream of Pandoh Dam forced the midnight evacuation of the Pandoh market. Controlled water releases from the dam are being closely monitored, and SDRF teams remain stationed in the vicinity.
Fourteen people were evacuated from Raghunath ka Padhar and another eleven from Purani Mandi after a sudden surge in river flow linked to the dam gate operations created dangerous conditions overnight.
Rescue workers and volunteers are also responding to commuter distress on the Kiratpur-Manali highway, which has been blocked by landslides at several locations between Mandi and Kullu. Scores of travellers were trapped in road tunnels overnight, prompting emergency distribution of food and water.
“Vehicular movement between Mandi and Kullu has been suspended due to ongoing risk. We are doing everything we can to assist stranded individuals,” said a district official.
The situation remains precarious with unrelenting rainfall complicating road clearance operations. The Beas River has risen sharply following increased inflows from its upper catchment, prompting the opening of spillway gates at Pandoh and Larji dams.
The Larji Hydro Electric Project (126 MW) in Kullu also ramped up its water discharge due to heavy silt and high inflows. Warning sirens have been activated, and public announcements are being made to alert residents and tourists to steer clear of riverbanks.
“People should remain vigilant and strictly avoid low-lying areas near the river,” the administration urged in a statement.
In light of the severe weather and blocked access routes, District Magistrate Apoorv Devgan has ordered the closure of all schools and educational institutions in Mandi district on July 1.
The rainfall, which began Monday evening, shows no signs of easing, leaving residents bracing for further disruptions.
