At least five people have died and several others are feared swept away after a cloudburst triggered flash floods and caused large-scale destruction across the state, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed on Thursday.
The intense rainfall and resulting floods over the past 24 hours have caused significant damage in Kullu and Kangra districts, sweeping away homes, disrupting power supply, and washing out roads, leaving several areas cut off and rescue operations underway.
The Chief Minister confirmed five deaths and five missing."So far, we have confirmation of five people who have died due to the rains and flash floods. Three persons are reported missing in the Kullu district. Rescue operations are ongoing," he said.
He further stated that the Dharamshala region in Kangra and several areas across the Himalayan belt suffered extensive damage due to the cloudburst.
"The damage is concentrated in areas where our Himalayas rise steeply. After the cloudburst, three people were confirmed dead, and five are missing. One person was earlier believed to be missing but was later found safe. He had moved into the forest near the roadside," the Chief Minister said.
Sukhu confirmed that 15 houses were damaged, and the region's road network has suffered severe destruction, especially in village areas.
"Roads have been badly damaged, particularly rural roads. Nearly 15 houses have collapsed due to heavy rainfall," Himachal CM added.
Sukhu said that power infrastructure in Kangra has also been affected, and some of the missing individuals are believed to be employees of a power project in the area.
"There has been heavy damage to a power project in Kangra. The people who are missing were working at this power project," he said.
CM Sukhu said the state is on high alert and urged tourists to stay cautious, especially around rivers and streams. While reassuring visitors that there’s no danger in travelling to Himachal, he emphasised the need to remain vigilant due to the current weather conditions.
"We have issued directions to remain vigilant given the cloudbursts. Tourists are welcome to enjoy the monsoon season. There is no threat. But people must avoid going near rivers and streams," he added.
He also said the state government has issued historic response directives in light of the repeated incidents of cloudbursts.
"Our government has directed all departments to act swiftly and historically. People should stay away from riverbanks," he said. "We are on high alert. The kind of warnings issued demand that we stay fully prepared. We are treating this with utmost seriousness," he stated.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain alert for the region in the coming days, and the state authorities are on standby, and are prepared to respond to any further developments.
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