Thursday, June 26, 2025

Himachal Pradesh has issued a new travel advisory following the devastating flash floods that hit Kullu district, triggered by a series of cloudbursts. The floods have caused widespread destruction in several areas, including popular tourist spots like Manali and Banjar, and left many missing persons in their wake. As rescue operations continue, the state government is urging tourists to avoid flood-prone areas, including riverbeds and low-lying regions, to ensure their safety. The advisory comes as the region braces for more heavy rains, and authorities work to clear blocked roads and restore essential services.

Intense rescue operations are currently underway in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district following a devastating flash flood triggered by a series of cloudbursts. These sudden and violent weather events have caused massive destruction, particularly in areas around Rehla Bihal in Sainj, where several people are feared missing, and numerous homes have been damaged or completely washed away by the floodwaters.

The most pressing concern remains the three individuals, including a young 14-year-old child, who are still missing after being swept away while attempting to retrieve personal belongings from their homes amidst the flood. The local authorities confirmed that these individuals were in the process of salvaging valuables when the floodwaters rose with alarming speed, overwhelming them and carrying them downstream. Local officials have confirmed that recovery efforts are ongoing, with hopes of locating the missing persons.

Kullu’s Deputy Commissioner, Torul S. Ravesh, confirmed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been mobilized to aid in the ongoing recovery operations. The NDRF’s skilled teams are using specialized equipment to navigate the difficult terrain and reach the affected areas. Ravesh has also made an urgent appeal to the public, especially tourists, urging them to avoid riverbeds and low-lying areas, particularly during the monsoon season. While the monsoon rains are a significant attraction for visitors to the region, Ravesh emphasized the critical importance of prioritizing safety during such extreme weather conditions.

In addition to the devastation in Sainj, flash floods have also struck other areas of Kullu district, including well-known tourist spots like Manali and Banjar. The Banjar Assembly Constituency, encompassing Sainj, Gadsa, and Hornagad, has been severely affected, with widespread damage to infrastructure and homes. The relentless floodwaters have washed away roads, uprooted trees, and left many regions cut off. While Kullu is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and lush greenery, this disaster has exposed the area’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, particularly in remote and high-altitude locations.

Banjar MLA Surinder Shauri visited the flood-impacted areas and offered an on-the-ground assessment of the damage. During his visit, he noted that the main road connecting Hornagad to other parts of the district remains blocked by debris and floodwaters. This has left the residents of Hornagad stranded, unable to access basic supplies and emergency assistance. Moreover, the floods have severely disrupted essential services, including electricity and water supply, leaving many homes without power or potable water.

The damage has been compounded by the fact that many areas are still cut off from the rest of the district due to the destruction of roads and bridges. Authorities are working round the clock to clear the debris and restore access to these remote regions, but challenges persist due to the ongoing threat of additional flash floods and further rain.

To further exacerbate concerns, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued warnings for light to moderate flash floods across several regions, including Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Sirmaur, and Chamba districts, over the next 24 hours. The state of Himachal Pradesh is expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas, increasing the risk of more flooding. With rain continuing to fall in the affected areas, authorities are on high alert, bracing for additional complications in their ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.

Local residents, as well as tourists, are urged to take extra precautions, with the district administration emphasizing that the conditions could deteriorate rapidly, especially if additional cloudbursts trigger further floods. Despite the dangers, the resilience of the local population has been evident, with many community members coming together to help rescue stranded individuals and offer shelter to those affected by the floods.

In addition to the government and rescue teams, local NGOs and volunteers have mobilized to provide relief, offering food, water, and medical assistance to those in need. However, the sheer scale of the devastation has made it challenging to reach everyone in need of aid. Several teams are working to distribute supplies, but with many areas still unreachable by conventional means, the process has been slow.

While the monsoon season is expected to end in a few weeks, the ongoing weather events serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of high-altitude areas like Kullu to flash floods and landslides. These extreme weather patterns are becoming increasingly common, and local authorities are stressing the need for better preparedness and infrastructure to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters in the future.

The Himachal Pradesh government has committed to ramping up disaster preparedness efforts, focusing on improving weather forecasting, strengthening infrastructure, and raising public awareness about safety during extreme weather events. As climate change continues to exacerbate the intensity of monsoon seasons, regions like Kullu and other parts of Himachal Pradesh are likely to face more frequent and severe weather challenges.

For now, the search for the missing continues, and efforts are underway to provide aid to those whose lives have been upended by the floods. The people of Kullu are showing remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, but with the rains expected to persist, the situation remains precarious. Local officials continue to urge caution and ask the public to stay informed about weather warnings and to avoid venturing into areas of potential danger.

Himachal Pradesh has issued a new travel advisory due to the devastating flash floods in Kullu district, which have caused widespread destruction and left several people missing. Tourists are urged to avoid flood-prone areas as rescue operations continue and more heavy rains are expected.

As the recovery efforts continue, all eyes are on the monsoon’s trajectory, with the hope that the rains will soon subside and that the region can begin the long process of rebuilding. The impact of this flash flood disaster, however, will undoubtedly be felt for some time as the community works together to recover and rebuild.