The Crossbill News Desk
At least five people have died and over a dozen are missing after torrential rains and multiple cloudbursts triggered flash floods in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra and Kullu districts.
Authorities fear that around 15–20 labourers working at a mini-hydroelectric project near Dharamshala may have been swept away when water levels surged dramatically in the Manuni Khad stream. The workers were reportedly stationed close to the water when the flooding occurred.
“Out of five, four were identified. As per the information provided to us by the contractor at the Hydroelectric power project, three people are still missing. Separately, a man, who had climbed up and entered a forest area to save himself yesterday from the increased water at the hydro power project site, was traced today,” said Deputy Commissioner (Kangra) Hemraj Bairwa told The Indian Express.
BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma, who visited the flood-affected area, told PTI that local residents had called him in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
“When the incident occurred, I received calls from locals saying that around 15–20 people were swept away, and the water flow had suddenly surged, leading to the tragedy. Labourers were working at the site when they got swept away. While local residents managed to save themselves, the labourers could not,” Sharma said.
Rescue efforts are being coordinated by teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local administration, gram panchayats, and the revenue department.
The Indian Express reported that cloudbursts were recorded in at least four locations across Kullu district: Banjar, Gadsa, Manikaran, and Sainj valley.
Flooding also impacted road infrastructure, including the Manali-Chandigarh National Highway, which was partially damaged as the Beas River eroded parts of the road near Manali. Despite the damage, traffic has not been halted, according to PTI.
Social media videos from the affected regions show houses and roads battered by floodwaters, with cars submerged or washed away.
In Banjar, a bridge at Hornagad was destroyed, floodwaters entered a government school, and damage was reported to farmland and a cowshed.
Further disruptions were reported in Lahaul-Spiti, where police confirmed that the road from Kaza to Samdoh has been blocked at multiple points due to landslides, debris, and overflowing drains.
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended condolences to the victims and announced that all district administrations had been instructed to conduct relief and rescue operations with urgency.
“Due to heavy rainfall, distressing and heart-wrenching reports of loss of life and property are being received from several districts of the state. Instructions have been given to the administrative teams of all districts to carry out relief and rescue operations with utmost seriousness and speed. I am in constant contact with the administrative officers of all districts, and the situation is being continuously monitored,” Sukhu posted on X.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in multiple districts including Kullu, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Solan, warning of a heightened risk of flash floods through Thursday evening. The alert also covers Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Sirmour, and Una.
Experts have raised growing concern over the increasing frequency and intensity of flash floods in the region.
Himachal Pradesh has experienced a dramatic rise in such incidents during recent monsoons, with activists warning that unchecked development projects and climate change are severely straining the ecologically sensitive Himalayan landscape.
According to data cited by The Hindu, there were 51 flash flood incidents in Himachal Pradesh between June 27 and August 16, 2024. The state recorded 72 incidents in 2023 and 75 in 2022, underscoring an alarming trend.
Authorities fear that around 15–20 labourers working at a mini-hydroelectric project near Dharamshala may have been swept away when water levels surged dramatically in the Manuni Khad stream. The workers were reportedly stationed close to the water when the flooding occurred.
“Out of five, four were identified. As per the information provided to us by the contractor at the Hydroelectric power project, three people are still missing. Separately, a man, who had climbed up and entered a forest area to save himself yesterday from the increased water at the hydro power project site, was traced today,” said Deputy Commissioner (Kangra) Hemraj Bairwa told The Indian Express.
BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma, who visited the flood-affected area, told PTI that local residents had called him in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
“When the incident occurred, I received calls from locals saying that around 15–20 people were swept away, and the water flow had suddenly surged, leading to the tragedy. Labourers were working at the site when they got swept away. While local residents managed to save themselves, the labourers could not,” Sharma said.
Rescue efforts are being coordinated by teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local administration, gram panchayats, and the revenue department.
The Indian Express reported that cloudbursts were recorded in at least four locations across Kullu district: Banjar, Gadsa, Manikaran, and Sainj valley.
For anyone planning to head towards Manali or Spiti next week—please keep a close check on weather updates. First spell of monsoon rains and parts of the national highway near Bahang, Manali have already been washed away. If any help is needed in Himachal , feel free to DM or ask… pic.twitter.com/1WbyZk2cQJ
— Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) June 25, 2025
Flooding also impacted road infrastructure, including the Manali-Chandigarh National Highway, which was partially damaged as the Beas River eroded parts of the road near Manali. Despite the damage, traffic has not been halted, according to PTI.
Social media videos from the affected regions show houses and roads battered by floodwaters, with cars submerged or washed away.
In Banjar, a bridge at Hornagad was destroyed, floodwaters entered a government school, and damage was reported to farmland and a cowshed.
Further disruptions were reported in Lahaul-Spiti, where police confirmed that the road from Kaza to Samdoh has been blocked at multiple points due to landslides, debris, and overflowing drains.
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended condolences to the victims and announced that all district administrations had been instructed to conduct relief and rescue operations with urgency.
“Due to heavy rainfall, distressing and heart-wrenching reports of loss of life and property are being received from several districts of the state. Instructions have been given to the administrative teams of all districts to carry out relief and rescue operations with utmost seriousness and speed. I am in constant contact with the administrative officers of all districts, and the situation is being continuously monitored,” Sukhu posted on X.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in multiple districts including Kullu, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Solan, warning of a heightened risk of flash floods through Thursday evening. The alert also covers Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Sirmour, and Una.
Experts have raised growing concern over the increasing frequency and intensity of flash floods in the region.
Himachal Pradesh has experienced a dramatic rise in such incidents during recent monsoons, with activists warning that unchecked development projects and climate change are severely straining the ecologically sensitive Himalayan landscape.
According to data cited by The Hindu, there were 51 flash flood incidents in Himachal Pradesh between June 27 and August 16, 2024. The state recorded 72 incidents in 2023 and 75 in 2022, underscoring an alarming trend.
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