- विज्ञापन -
Dharamshala, Himachal: Himachal Pradesh is witnessing widespread devastation due to incessant rainfall, cloudbursts, and flash floods, triggering panic and rescue operations across affected regions. A cloudburst hit three locations in Kullu district—Jeeva Nala in Sainj Valley, Shilagarh in Gadhsa Valley, and Horangadh in Banjar—leading to severe flooding. Three people, including a father and his daughter, were swept away by the gushing waters.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand faced tragedy as a car plunged into a canal in Haldwani on Wednesday morning. Out of the seven passengers, four lost their lives, including a 3-day-old infant.
In Jammu, heavy overnight rains caused the Tawi River to swell dangerously. One person trapped in the river was dramatically rescued by SDRF personnel using a ladder.
Gujarat’s Surat city is battling major floods, especially in the Parvat Patia area, where water levels rose above five feet. Rescue teams used tractors to evacuate residents, including an elderly man carried out on a stretcher.
Heavy rain alerts are active across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. In Kerala’s Wayanad district, constant downpours have prompted a flood alert in Choorlamalla. The region recalls last year’s fatal landslides, which claimed 369 lives.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Sirmaur, Solan and Una for June 25, warning of very heavy rainfall at isolated locations. Kullu, Mandi and Shimla are under yellow alert for heavy rainfall. The department forecasts widespread moderate to heavy showers till July 1.
Capital Shimla experienced a downpour in the morning, with visibility plunging to as low as 25 metres due to dense fog.According to the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, the highest rainfall in the past 24 hours was recorded in Palampur at 145.4 mm, followed by Jogindernagar (113 mm), Nahan (94 mm), Baijnath (85 mm), Paonta Sahib (58.4 mm), Gohar (55 mm) and Kangra (37.4 mm). Rainfall was also recorded in Kasauli (22 mm) and other mid-hill towns, leading to waterlogging and increased risk of landslides.
Washed-out roads, overflowing streams raise alarm
One alarming incident occurred on the Jalandhar-Atari-Mandi National Highway near Dharampur’s Paadchhu where soil dumped for an under-construction bridge obstructed the natural flow of a stream.
As a result, water collected and formed a makeshift lake, submerging the nearby Gasia Mata temple, a sarai and a cremation ground. The situation has put multiple villages downstream at risk of sudden flooding.
Given the looming danger, the state police headquarters has issued a flood and landslide advisory to all district police chiefs. Emergency response teams have been activated, and citizens have been asked to avoid rivers, rivulets, and unnecessary travel to hilly areas.
One dead in Beas river tragedy near Manali
Tourists and locals have been advised to stay away from riverbanks, landslide-prone zones and to monitor advisories issued by the district administration. Water sports have been suspended in districts like Kullu, Bilaspur, and Una as a precaution.
Amid the inclement weather, tragedy struck near Manali where a youth drowned after slipping and falling into the Beas river near Rangri.
The victim, identified as Bir Chand, a resident of Shiradh village in Kullu, was walking near a car wash facility when he lost his footing. Despite efforts by bystanders and police, the fast current swept him away. His body was later retrieved stuck between rocks along the riverbank.
Temperature dips across the state
With the monsoon fully active, temperatures have dropped sharply across Himachal. Kangra saw the steepest fall, with the mercury plunging 8.2°C below normal to settle at 31.4°C. Similar declines were recorded in Chamba (-5.5°C), Mandi (-3.9°C) and Dharamshala (-2.3°C). The average maximum temperature across the state is now 1.2°C below the seasonal norm.With rain expected to continue for the next several days, the administration remains on high alert for further incidents of flooding and landslides, urging citizens to remain cautious and follow all safety advisories.
