A cloudburst in the Majhan Nala of Sainj Valley in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district has triggered severe destruction. According to the news agency PTI, two bodies were recovered from the Manuni Khad in Kangra district while around 15-20 workers stationed at a labour colony near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project site were feared swept away following a surge in water level in the Khaniyara Manuni Khad. The report further added that three people were washed away as cloudbursts led to flash floods in Kullu.
According to officials, the project work had been suspended due to rain, and the workers were resting in the temporary shelters near the site when floodwaters from Manuni Khad and nearby drains diverted towards the labour colony, sweeping the workers away. The teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local administration, gram panchayat, and the revenue department have reached the spot to carry out search and rescue operations.
In a post on social media, Dharamsala's BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma said that about 20 workers were swept away in the incident.
Monsoon Havoc Continues Across Himachal
With the monsoon arriving earlier than expected, several districts in Himachal Pradesh are witnessing relentless rainfall. On Wednesday, cloudbursts were reported in the Garsa Valley, Sainj Valley, and Solang Valley of Kullu. Among these, Sainj Valley faced the worst damage. Rivers and streams in the region have been overflowing since the cloudburst, disrupting daily life in multiple villages.
The force of the water was such that anything in its path was swept away like straw. Vehicles were carried away, roads in many parts of Kullu have been blocked, and broken bridges have cut off several villages. Power lines have been damaged, plunging many areas into darkness, and water supply has also been disrupted.
IMD Issues Heavy Rain, Flash Flood Alerts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the next 24 hours in the districts of Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations. Flash flood alerts are also in place for Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts.
Authorities are urging residents in vulnerable areas to stay alert and avoid travel unless necessary, as the risk of further damage remains high.