Himachal Cloudburst –Deadly Floods Strike Kullu and Dharamshala, 2 Dead, 11 Missing, 2000 Tourists Trapped
Multiple Cloudbursts Trigger Massive Flash Floods
On Wednesday heavy rains created havoc in Himachal Pradesh as cloudbursts hit five places in Kullu and Dharamshala. These include Jeevanala in Sainj Shilla ghar in Gadsa Snow Gallery in Manali Horn Gad in Banjar and Manuuni Khad near Khaniyara in Dharamshala. In Khaniyara floodwaters swept away more than 10 laborers who were working at an under construction hydro power project. SDRF teams are on site and the rescue work is still going on. Two dead bodies have been recovered so far and eleven people are still missing.
Over 2000 Tourists Stranded in Sainj Valley
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More than 2000 tourists are stuck in Sainj Valley in over 150 vehicles as roads are damaged or blocked. There is no way to leave the area from Siund side so rescue teams are working to open the routes. NH 305 from Aut to Sainj is also blocked and the situation remains tense in the valley.
Bridges Destroyed in Schools Flooded and Police Weapons Washed Away
On the Banjar Bathahar road a vehicle and a small bridge were swept away. Floodwaters entered a local government primary school but villagers rescued the children. Near Siund in the NHPC power house area a temporary shed used by the Third Battalion Pandoh guard was destroyed. Around ten police personnel lost their belongings and three or four weapons were washed away. One police jawan was injured and taken to the Kullu hospital for treatment.
Yellow Alert Issued for Five Districts
The weather office has issued a yellow alert for Thursday in parts of Chamba Kangra Mandi Shimla and Sirmaur. The rain is expected to be heavy on 26 and 27 June and there are chances of more rain till 2 July. Many areas may see rising water levels so people and tourists are being warned to be careful.
Roads Closed and Power Out in Many Areas
171 roads in Himachal are closed due to landslides or waterlogging and over 550 electricity transformers are not working. No flights took off from Shimla or Kullu .Two flights were cancelled at Gaggal airport in Kangra. The entire region is facing trouble due to damaged infrastructure.
Rainfall Recorded in Key Locations (in mm)
Location. Rainfall
Palampur 145 mm
Nahan 99 mm
Paonta Sahib 58 mm
Dharamshala. 54 mm
Kangra 44 mm
Narkanda 40 mm
Kasauli 22 mm
Mandi 16 mm
Shimla 14 mm
Officials on Alert as Rescue Operations Continue
District officials in Kullu and Kangra said that NDRF and SDRF teams are already deployed. They are working in affected areas to rescue people and restore essential services. Relief teams are active and they are trying to help those stranded or affected by the floods.