Cloudburst in the serene Tosh Valley in Manikaran, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh late Sunday night caused massive destruction: bridges were washed away and floodwaters inundated homes, causing panic and chaos among residents
Photo: Kanav Vaidya
Kullu, July 30: A cloudburst in the serene Tosh Valley in Manikaran, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, late on Sunday night caused massive destruction. The cloudburst, coupled with torrential rains, washed away a bridge and floodwaters inundated homes, causing panic and chaos among residents.
The flash floods caused immediate and widespread damage. The connecting bridge, which was vital for residents, was completely washed away, cutting off Tosh from nearby areas. Houses were inundated with floodwaters, forcing people to flee to safer places. The late-night disaster saw villagers fleeing for their lives, many of whom were left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
Emergency services were immediately alerted, but the severity of the disaster posed major challenges. The floodwaters not only disrupted life but also hampered rescue and relief operations. Tosh is still cut off, but efforts are underway to restore connectivity and provide assistance to affected residents.
The impact of the cloudburst extended beyond Tosh. In neighbouring Solang Valley, the water level in the Sarehi Nala rose again, flooding roads and forcing the closure of the Manali-Leh route. The route, crucial for travel and commerce, has been getting closed repeatedly due to fluctuating water levels, causing hardships for locals. SDM Raman Kumar Sharma confirmed the closure in view of the danger posed by the rising waters.
Already troubled by the cloudburst incident, residents of Palchan village are now living in fear. Three houses were destroyed in the last incident and five more were endangered. The frequent natural calamities have made the villagers worried and cautious about unpredictable weather patterns.
The state government has issued an orange alert for heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh in the coming days, especially on July 31 and August 1. The alert includes warning of possible landslides and floods in five districts Kullu, Solan, Sirmour, Shimla and Kinnaur. The weather department has predicted continuous rain, which has further increased the risk of landslides and floods.
Rescue operation in Mandi: Youth trapped in Beas river-
In a similar incident in Mandi, a youth named Aman, a resident of Chandigarh, got stuck on a huge rock at the confluence of Beas and Suketi rivers. Aman got stuck when the water level rose on Monday night and remained on the rock throughout the night. It was not until Tuesday morning that local residents spotted him and informed the authorities. Mandi police and rescue teams swung into action and rescued Aman safely from his dangerous situation.
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