Himachal Pradesh is grappling with the devastating aftermath of multiple cloudbursts that unleashed torrential flash floods across the districts of Kangra and Kullu on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The sudden deluges have claimed at least two lives and left over ten individuals missing, prompting intensive search and rescue operations by disaster response teams.
The brunt of the disaster was felt acutely in Kangra district, particularly near a small hydroelectric power project in Khaniyara. Two bodies were recovered from the Manuni stream, and authorities fear that between six and ten workers from a labor colony near the project site were swept away by the surging waters. While some workers have been safely rescued, the search continues for others who remain unaccounted for, including one individual reportedly seen fleeing into nearby hills. Dharamshala BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma confirmed that a significant number of people were feared swept away and called for an investigation into the placement of temporary shelters for laborers in such vulnerable areas.
In the neighboring Kullu district, the situation is equally grim, with at least three people reported missing after four separate cloudbursts hit areas including Banjar, Gadsa, Manikaran, and Sainj. The cloudbursts caused a dramatic rise in water levels in streams and rivers, including the Beas, leading to widespread destruction. Several houses were swept away, and significant damage to infrastructure, including bridges and roads, has been reported. In Sainj valley, the Jeeva Nala stream overflowed, washing away sheds belonging to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SSDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with local police and administration, are on the ground, battling challenging conditions to locate the missing and provide assistance to affected communities. Water-sports activities in Kullu have been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in Shimla had issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall across multiple districts of Himachal Pradesh, including Kullu and Kangra, underscoring the severity of the weather conditions. The state has been experiencing continuous heavy rainfall, leading to increased water levels in rivers and a heightened risk of further flash floods and landslides.
Authorities are urging residents and tourists to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay away from rivers and vulnerable hillsides. The focus remains on search and rescue operations, with efforts intensified to trace all missing individuals. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the increasing vulnerability of the Himalayan region to extreme weather events, highlighting the critical need for robust disaster preparedness and early warning systems.