Mandi, Himachal Pradesh – An overnight cloudburst and flash floods have caused widespread destruction in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, particularly in the town of Dharampur. The intense rainfall, which began around 11 p.m. and intensified after 1 a.m., led to the Saun rivulet, a tributary of the Beas, swelling to dangerous levels. The resulting torrent of water and debris submerged the local bus stand and market, sweeping away numerous vehicles and burying homes and shops.
Officials have reported that one person is feared missing in the floods, which locals have described as more severe than the devastation witnessed in 2015. The Dharampur bus stand was completely inundated, with several state-run Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses submerged and some washed away entirely. Dozens of private vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, were also carried off by the powerful current.
As the floodwaters surged, residents were forced to flee for safety. People at the bus stand scrambled to upper floors, while those living along the rivulet’s banks climbed onto their rooftops. A hostel housing nearly 150 children was flooded, but all students were successfully rescued to the upper floors.
In a separate but related incident in the Nihri area of Mandi district, a landslide caused a house to collapse, killing three people and injuring two others. Rescue operations are still underway in that area.
The local administration has deployed heavy machinery to expedite relief and rescue operations, which were initially hindered by the strong currents. By Tuesday morning, the water level of the Saun rivulet had returned to normal, allowing locals to join the rescue efforts.
Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur has expressed concern over the “colossal damage” caused by the rain, noting that reports of missing persons from Dharampur and Sarkaghat are particularly worrying. He urged the public to stay alert, prioritize their safety, and follow all guidelines issued by the administration. The downpour has also triggered landslides and life-disruptions in the state capital, Shimla.