Cloudburst Triggers Destruction in Himachal’s Jagatkhana Village; Vehicles Buried, Homes Damaged

Shimla, May 24:
A cloudburst struck Jagatkhana village in the Nirmand area of Ani tehsil, Kullu district, on Saturday evening, causing significant destruction. The sudden deluge, triggered by heavy rainfall, swept away four to five vehicles and damaged several others. A number of residential houses also sustained damage. Fortunately, no loss of life has been reported so far.

Jagatkhana lies near the border of Shimla district’s Rampur subdivision, which also witnessed intense rainfall on Saturday. The downpour caused a sharp rise in water levels in local rivers and streams, sparking panic among residents.

Upon receiving reports of the incident, local administration teams rushed to the site and launched relief and rescue operations. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and providing necessary support to affected families.

According to official sources, the cloudburst occurred around 6 PM near a local stream in the Jagatkhana panchayat area. Two vehicles parked near the Sutlej River were caught in the torrent and washed away. The force of the water also damaged nearby vehicles and infrastructure.

Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Jyoti Rana confirmed that the cloudburst occurred within Kullu district limits. She added that in the Rampur area of Shimla, heavy rains blocked roads at three different locations, all of which have since been cleared.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a warning for several districts in the coming days. An Orange Alert was in effect on Saturday for Shimla and Kullu due to the likelihood of hailstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds. A Yellow Alert will remain in place across the state until May 28.

Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel in hilly or landslide-prone areas.