Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi District
Heavy rains battered Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh overnight, turning Dharampur town into a scene of chaos and destruction. The downpour, which started pounding the area since Monday night, flooded the local bus stand and unleashed flash floods from the Son Khad river.
Local police reported that the relentless monsoon rains caused the river to swell dramatically around midnight. Gushing floodwaters surged into the bus stand, submerging several state-run buses and sweeping away dozens of private vehicles like cars, bikes, and scooters. DCP Dharampur Mandi confirmed the extent of the damage, noting that many vehicles got carried off in the strong currents.
Thankfully, no human casualties have been reported so far. However, one person remains missing, and authorities are working to verify the details. Debris flooded into homes and shops nearby, leaving extensive damage to property. The good news is that the Son Khad river’s water levels are now dropping, allowing police and officials to assess the full impact.
Residents near the riverbank faced the worst of it. Houses and shops got inundated, forcing people to scramble onto rooftops for safety. Even a hostel with around 150 students flooded, but everyone safely moved to upper floors. DSP Sanjeev Sood led overnight rescue operations with police and teams, ensuring no one was left behind.
This latest incident adds to the growing toll of Himachal Pradesh monsoon devastation. Since June 20, the rains have claimed 404 lives, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Of these, 229 deaths came from rain-related tragedies like landslides, flash floods, drowning, electrocution, lightning strikes, and house collapses. The remaining 175 were from road accidents.
Mandi tops the list of worst-hit districts for rain fatalities with 37 deaths, followed closely by Kangra (34), Kullu (31), Chamba (28), and Shimla (23). Road accidents during the monsoon have also spiked, with Mandi and Solan each recording 24 deaths, Chamba 22, and Kangra 21. Slippery roads, blocked highways, and unstable slopes from the heavy rains have made driving extra dangerous.
The monsoon floods and landslides haven’t spared infrastructure either. The SDMA’s latest report pegs the total economic loss at a staggering Rs 4,489 crore. Public assets took the biggest hit, including roads, water supply systems, power grids, schools, hospitals, and rural development projects. In housing, 1,616 homes were fully destroyed, while 8,278 suffered partial damage.
Agriculture has been hammered too, with crops on 29,000 hectares wiped out and horticulture losses spanning 1.38 lakh hectares. The livestock sector lost 2,094 animals and 26,955 poultry birds, adding to the heartbreak for farmers.
As Himachal Pradesh grapples with this ongoing monsoon fury, rescue efforts continue in Mandi, and officials urge people to stay alert amid the heavy rainfall alerts. The state remains on high watch for more flash floods and landslides.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
