Monsoon Mayhem in Himachal: One Dead, Red Alert Issued; Flash Floods, Landslide Fears Intensify

Himachal Pradesh: Torrential monsoon rains have unleashed widespread destruction across Himachal Pradesh, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert on Tuesday for the entire state. With unrelenting downpours battering at least 10 districts, authorities remain on high alert amid rising fears of flash floods and landslides.

Mandi district has borne the brunt of the rainfall, witnessing relentless showers through the night. Authorities were forced to release over 1.5 lakh cusecs of water from the Pandoh Dam after water levels surged to 2922 feet—just shy of the 2941-foot danger mark. The Beas River, now flowing at full spate, has overflowed in several areas, flooding parts of Mandi city including the famed Panchvaktra Temple.

In Karsog, a cloudburst claimed the life of one person, while in Syanj (Gohar subdivision), tragedy struck when a house was swept away in a flash flood. Seven individuals are still missing. Rescue teams managed to pull a mother and daughter to safety, but search operations for the others are ongoing.

Floodwaters have submerged parts of Pandoh Bazaar, prompting emergency rescues. Several houses across Mandi have collapsed due to waterlogging and soil saturation. The Pateekari Power Project near Pandoh has suffered severe damage, and two crucial bridges at Bakhli and Kuklah have collapsed, cutting off key transport links.

The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway—a lifeline for tourism and transport—has been shut down due to landslides and flooding.

The IMD has flagged landslide threats in 18 out of 22 vulnerable zones across the state. As a precautionary measure, 129 roads have been closed. Essential services including electricity and water supply have been disrupted in hundreds of locations, leaving residents grappling with darkness and water shortages.

As Himachal battles the fury of nature, emergency response teams and local authorities remain on standby. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing in affected districts. The state government has urged residents to stay indoors, avoid rivers and unstable hillsides, and follow updates issued by the disaster management authorities.

With the monsoon showing no signs of relenting, Himachal Pradesh faces a critical few days ahead. The IMD has warned of more heavy rains, keeping the red alert in place as the hill state braces for potential worsening of the situation.