NEW DELHI: Heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and landslides have wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, leading to widespread destruction. The intense monsoon downpour that began late Monday night and continued into Tuesday caused significant property damage, disrupted daily life, stranded tourists, and swept away vehicles.
Three Dead in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
In Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, severe rainfall caused landslides in Dharampur town, resulting in three fatalities in the Nihri area. Debris from a nearby cliff collapsed onto a house. Two individuals were rescued from the rubble. Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma confirmed, “Three people died, while two others were rescued. The rescue teams rushed to the spot, and operations are still underway.” Continuous rainfall since Monday night has flooded the Dharampur bus station, sweeping away numerous vehicles. Floods in the Son and Bharand drains have damaged a workshop, several shops, and more than 20 buses. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri shared on Facebook, “Dharampur bus stand, over two dozen HRTC buses, shops, pump house and workshop have been damaged.”
Landslides Block Roads in Shimla
In Shimla, a landslide buried several vehicles near Himland in the city center, blocking the main circular road and affecting school children. Local residents Gautam and Rahul Shukla, who were sleeping in their vehicle, reported hearing a deafening sound as trees and debris slid down, prompting them to escape.
Uttarakhand: Dehradun Hit by Cloudburst
Uttarakhand, which borders Himachal Pradesh, also experienced severe weather. A cloudburst struck Dehradun late Monday night, causing significant damage to hotels, shops, and commercial structures. The Sahastradhara River overflowed due to torrential rain, carrying debris into the main market area. Shops and hotels on Sahastradhara Road were severely affected, with floodwaters and debris causing extensive damage.
CM Dhami’s Inspection of Affected Areas
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the hardest-hit regions, including Sahastradhara, Raipur, and Maldevta, where a 100-meter stretch of road was washed away. Dhami reported, “There has been a lot of damage to houses and government properties. Livelihood is affected. We are working to get things back on track.” He indicated that connectivity was disrupted in several areas and that all departments are responding swiftly. On social media, he noted that relief and rescue operations are underway, with the local administration actively engaged.
Rescues Amid Rising Waters
Police and SDRF teams successfully rescued five individuals stranded in the swollen Sahastradhara River during the severe weather in Dehradun. Officials confirmed that all five were brought to safety after a prompt operation.
Central Government Support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah held discussions with Chief Minister Dhami to review the situation in Uttarakhand on Tuesday. Dhami stated, “PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with me this morning and took all the details. They assured us that all possible help will be provided. We are working to help the people affected by this disaster.” In a statement from the Chief Minister’s office, it was reported that the administrative machinery is fully engaged in rescue and relief operations across the affected areas.
