SHIMLA: Torrential rains, cloudbursts, and flash floods continued to batter Himachal Pradesh, pushing the monsoon-related death toll to 78 as of Sunday. Among the worst-hit areas were the Mandi and Chamba districts, where sudden floods triggered by cloudbursts left behind a trail of destruction.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), 22 people have died in flash floods and cloudbursts—14 from Mandi alone—while 28 fatalities were due to road accidents. The overall estimated damage across the state stands at ₹572.69 crore.
Chamba and Mandi Face Worst Impact
In the early hours of Sunday, a flash flood in the Kathwad rivulet in Chamba’s Churah area washed away a bridge on the Chamba-Chanju road, a water mill, and several nearby structures. Four panchayats—Bagheigarh, Charra, Chanju, and Dehra—were completely cut off from the rest of the district.
In Mandi’s remote Chohar Valley, a cloudburst struck Kotrang village under the Silhbudhani panchayat during the night of July 5-6. While no casualties were reported, three footbridges, one motorable bridge, and around 50 bighas of private farmland were swept away. Local officials, including Padhar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Surjit Singh, visited the site to assess the damage.
Rescue and Relief Efforts Intensify
Massive rescue and relief operations are underway, especially in the disaster-struck Seraj Valley of Mandi. The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed a helicopter to deliver emergency supplies, including 90 ration kits, 75 blankets, clothing, essential medicines, and other necessities.
Search teams from NDRF and SDRF, equipped with drones, have been deployed to trace missing persons between Pandoh Dam and Patikri village. Two 18-member teams are conducting ground-level search operations from Patikri Dam to Bakhli Khad, stretching towards Janjehli and Thunag.
In the remote Pakhrar panchayat, ITBP teams, supported by porters and patwaris, distributed ration kits, hygiene products, tarpaulins, and medicines to affected families. So far, around 300 people have been accommodated at the Government Primary School and PWD rest house in Thunag.
Officials reported that nine pregnant women have been safely transported to hospitals in Mandi and Nerchowk, while another was referred to IGMC, Shimla, via Karsog, due to blocked roads hampering medical access in the Seraj region.
Infrastructure Hit Hard
On Sunday, 243 roads remained closed statewide, with Mandi district accounting for 183 closures. Other affected districts include Kullu (36 roads), Kangra (12), Una (6), Chamba (4), and Sirmaur (2).
The floods also disrupted power and water supply in several areas. 241 transformers were reported non-functional—182 of them in Mandi. Additionally, 278 water supply schemes were shut down in the district, worsening the crisis.
Kangana Ranaut Visits Flood-Hit Areas Amid Criticism
Amid growing public pressure, Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut visited the affected Thunag area of the Seraj Valley on Sunday. Ranaut met with displaced families and assured them of all possible support.
Addressing criticism over her delayed visit, she said,
“Even though the Prime Minister is abroad, he is closely monitoring the situation. The Centre has responded swiftly. As an MP, I don’t have a personal fund or administrative setup, but I’m here because I’m also a Himachali and a Pahari. My job is to secure relief funds from the Centre, which are then sent to the state government.”
Ranaut had faced backlash for her absence from the flood-ravaged regions of her constituency, but her visit on Sunday marked her first direct interaction with the victims since the disaster began.
With monsoon activity expected to continue, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant as search, rescue, and infrastructure restoration efforts push ahead across Himachal Pradesh.
