Himachal Pradesh cloudburst and flash floods: Houses-bridges-road collapsed, power projects damaged (VIDEOS)

Shimla: Cloudbursts and flash floods have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, leading to significant destruction in Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu districts in the intervening night of July 31 and August 1.

The incidents have resulted in one confirmed death and at least 45 people missing.

In Shimla’s Rampur area, a cloudburst caused extensive damage early Thursday morning, affecting many houses, schools, and hospitals. Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap reported that 19 people are missing, with rescue operations underway.

#Shimla #rampur
रामपुर के झाकड़ी की समेज खड्ड के नज़दीक बादल फटने से मची भारी तबाही, 15 लोगों के लापता होने की सूचना, प्रशासन मौके पर राहत कार्य के लिए मौजूद, @DC_Shimla @PoliceShimla @dproshimla @HP_SDRF @TTRHimachal @CMOFFICEHP @NDRFHQ pic.twitter.com/IMXw7Toz7t

— Reshma Kashyap (@ReshmaKashyap1) August 1, 2024

Teams from the SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, and Special Home Guard are on the ground, though broken roads have hindered access.

19 people missing in midnight #cloudburst in #Shimla district pic.twitter.com/XrbEMytJBS

— United News of India (@uniindianews) August 1, 2024

Mandi's Thalatukhod region experienced a devastating cloudburst at midnight, causing homes to collapse and halting road connectivity. Nine people are missing, and one body has been recovered.

The Mandi district administration has alerted the Air Force and requested NDRF assistance. Rescue teams, including SDRF, are working tirelessly despite the challenges posed by the damaged infrastructure.

हिमाचल में बारिश का कहर मनाली के बिंदु ढोग के पास कुल्लू मनाली सड़क मार्ग बंद।
चेतावनी जारी। Mandi में भी भारी बारिश की चेतावनी से जीवन प्रभावित। पहाड़ों में जानें की मनाही।pic.twitter.com/EQ8W7LYQg9

— Sujeet Swami️ (@shibbu87) August 1, 2024

DC Apurva Devgan is heading to the affected areas on foot to oversee the relief efforts.

In Kullu, the Malana Nallah region faced severe damage due to heavy rains. The Malana One and Malana Two power projects have been heavily impacted, and the water level in the Parvati River has risen dangerously.

Power project destroyed in Malana, Kullu.

There is news of dam bursting due to flood.. Heavy flood in Parvati river due to dam burst...#HimachalPradesh #CloudBurst pic.twitter.com/ylGor8rJVO

— Crypto Aman (@cryptoamanclub) August 1, 2024

Residents along the riverbanks have been urged to evacuate to safer locations. In the Nirmand area, 8–10 houses, including Patwar Khana, hotels, and shops, were washed away.

कुल्लू ज़िला की मनीकरण घाटी में शाट स्थित सब्ज़ी मंडी भवन पार्वती नदी का जल स्तर बढ़ने से उसमे समा गया।@airnewsalerts @MIB_India @CMOFFICEHP @AshwiniVaishnaw @narendramodi @PIB_India @RajBhavanHP pic.twitter.com/MB8QREMStX

— AIR News Shimla (@airnews_shimla) August 1, 2024

Seven to ten people, including seven members of a family, are reported missing.

The local tehsildar and rescue teams are conducting search operations. Many bridges have been destroyed, and roads are closed, complicating rescue efforts.

All educational institutions in the affected regions have been closed as authorities prioritise rescue and relief operations.