Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, June 26
At least three people have died and nine are missing after a series of cloudbursts triggered flash floods across five locations in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu and Kangra districts on Wednesday. The flash floods, caused by intense and sudden downpours, led to overflowing rivers and ravines in Jeeva Nala (Sainj), Shilagarh Valley (Garhsa), Stro Gallery (Manali), Hornagarh (Banjar), and Khaniyara (Dharamshala). Several people were swept away in the torrents, while rescue efforts continue in challenging conditions.
In Dharamshala’s Khaniyara, one labourer who had gone missing was successfully rescued early Thursday morning, local authorities confirmed. The flooding has also left over 2,000 tourists stranded in Kullu, prompting district officials to issue a high alert due to water being released from nearby dams.
Senior district officials including the Deputy Commissioner of Kangra, Additional Superintendent of Police, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Dharamshala, and other officers are monitoring the situation on the ground.
The District Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) in Kangra, led by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, is coordinating the search and rescue operations. A backup response team comprising police and SDRF personnel has been placed on standby. However, officials confirmed two fatalities, while six persons were reported missing.
An additional unit of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been deployed to assist with the relief and rescue operations.
Authorities confirmed that workers at nearby power project sites have been safely evacuated. The district administration remains on high alert and is intensifying search operations for the missing.
