Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), June 26: A devastating cloudburst struck the Siund area in Sainj Valley of Kullu district on Wednesday, causing flash floods that severely impacted both a private power project and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation’s (NHPC) facility.
The sudden deluge destroyed temporary sheds and an emergency response vehicle at the site of the private power project. Visuals from the scene near the Baes River show the extensive damage caused by the violent water surge.
According to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), three individuals are feared to have been swept away by the floodwaters. NDRF teams reached the site promptly and began search and rescue operations.
Inspector Deepak Bisht of the NDRF stated,
“We received information about three missing persons. Our team is on the ground, and efforts are underway to locate them.”
Local resident Anmol recounted the terrifying moments:
“There was a cloudburst near the waterfall. Three people and four houses were swept away. The water flow was so strong it destroyed a one-megawatt project. Even NHPC’s powerhouse had to be shut down.”
Another resident, Chaitram, said,
“Two women and a man are missing. This isn’t the first time such a disaster has happened here.”
The Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Shimla reported that the incident occurred around 1:41 PM on June 25, downstream of Jiwa Trench Weir in Majhan Nallah. The flash flood also led to a sharp rise in the water level of the Sainj River.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for isolated heavy rainfall across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and West Uttar Pradesh from June 25 to July 1.
Authorities remain on high alert as rescue and recovery operations continue.