Cloudbursts and flash floods hit parts of Kullu, Shimla, and Lahaul-Spiti districts on Wednesday, causing widespread damage to property and infrastructure.
In Kullu district, Bagipul Bazaar in Nirmand sub-division was evacuated after a cloudburst in the Shrikhand Mahadev mountains triggered a flash flood in the Kurpan rivulet. Another cloudburst struck above Batahar village in Banjar sub-division, sweeping away three vehicles, damaging four cottages, and inundating agricultural land. The surge also raised the water level of the Tirthan river, prompting evacuation of all low-lying areas. “Two cloudbursts were reported in Bagipul and Batahar. There were property losses, but no casualties,” said deputy commissioner Torul S Raveesh.
In Lahaul-Spiti, flash floods hit Dhodhan, Changut, Udgos, and Karpat villages, damaging homes and farmland. In Karpat, floodwaters came within feet of houses, while debris entered four homes. MLA Anuradha Rana said schools in Miyar valley would remain shut for several days and confirmed reports of washed-away bridges in Changut and Udgos.
In Shimla’s Rampur area, a cloudburst in Nanti triggered a flash flood that washed away two bridges, several shops, and a police chowki. Ganvi village lost road connectivity, with a bus and ambulance stranded across the swollen rivulet. Electricity supply was disrupted, and houses were vacated as a precaution.
Related Incidents
- Man Drowns in Mandi: Puran Chand of Bhanwas village died after falling from a temporary bridge into a rivulet in Jarol. Locals formed a human chain to rescue him, but he was declared dead at the hospital.
- Roads Blocked: As of Thursday, 323 roads were closed statewide — 179 in Mandi, 70 in Kullu, 25 in Kangra, and others in Chamba, Sirmaur, Shimla, Una, and Lahaul-Spiti. Water supply to 130 schemes and 79 transformers also remained disrupted, according to the State Emergency Operations Centre.
