Cloudburst Triggers Havoc in Mandi: Bridges Washed Away, Highways Shut, 7 Missing and 1 Dead Amid Torrential Rain

Mandi, July 1
Relentless overnight rainfall unleashed large-scale destruction across Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, leaving residents in panic and authorities scrambling to respond. From late Monday night into Tuesday morning, reports of widespread damage have poured in from both urban centers and remote villages — houses collapsed, floodwaters entered homes, and landslides blocked critical roads.

The worst-hit areas were Karsog and Gohar subdivisions, where the true scale of devastation unfolded. Cloudbursts in Karsog triggered flash floods, claiming one life. In Gohar’s Syanj area, a house was swept away in a raging stream. While a mother and daughter were rescued in time, seven other members of the same family remain missing. Rescue operations by NDRF and local authorities are currently underway.

Meanwhile, the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway has been completely closed to traffic, causing severe disruption for both tourists and local commuters.

In Pandoh market, the situation turned dire due to severe waterlogging. Rescue teams had to evacuate residents to safer locations. The Beas River and nearby streams are in full spate, raising serious concerns. The Pandoh Dam’s water level has reached 2,922 feet, alarmingly close to the danger mark of 2,941 feet. In response, over 1.5 lakh cusecs of water are being discharged to manage the situation, leading to a swift rise in river levels. Floodwaters have now reached the historic Panchvaktra Temple in Mandi town.

The torrential rain has not only disrupted daily life but also caused major infrastructural damage. Roads and bridges have suffered heavily, with reports of damage to the Patti Kari Power Project. The Bakhli and Kuklah bridges have been washed away, severing connectivity to several regions.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, the district administration had already ordered all educational institutions to remain closed on Tuesday. Deputy Commissioner of Mandi has issued a public advisory, urging people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers and water bodies.

Rainfall continues across the district, with Mandi on high alert as rescue and monitoring operations remain in full force.