Himachal on Edge: Rain Fury Causes Flash Floods, Road Closures, and Casualties | ABP NEWS

The beginning of August has brought devastating monsoon rains across India, with Himachal Pradesh facing the brunt of nature’s fury. Continuous downpours have triggered massive landslides and flash floods, severely impacting areas like Mandi, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti. The Beas River is flowing in full spate, while roads and highways, including the vital Chandigarh-Manali-Leh route, have been blocked due to debris. In Mandi, which is emerging as the epicenter of the disaster, over 27 people remain missing and 17 have been confirmed dead. Efforts are underway to declare the missing as deceased to proceed with relief formalities. Landslides have destroyed homes, blocked roads, and buried vehicles. Flash floods in Kullu’s Malana village washed away trucks, cars, and JCB machines. In Lahaul-Spiti, a cloudburst caused sudden flooding, prompting rescue operations by the BRO and local administration. Although a partial road reopening has been done after 28 hours of closure, continuous rain threatens further damage. Authorities have issued yellow and red alerts across several states including Himachal, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and West Bengal. The destruction has largely been attributed to unplanned construction and road widening projects that have destabilized fragile mountain slopes.