Three people have died and over 30 are missing due to a cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district. Roads are blocked due to heavy rain, and dam gates have been opened. The administration is on alert.
Cloudburst in Mandi: Cloudbursts in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh on Monday night and Tuesday morning have caused immense devastation. Heavy rainfall and landslides in the sub-divisions of Karsog, Saraj, and Dharmpur have severely impacted life. Three deaths have been confirmed in the Karsog area, while over 30 people are still missing. Many houses, cow sheds, and vehicles have been buried under debris and completely destroyed.
Roads Closed, Traffic Affected
The Kirtarpur-Manali four-lane has been completely closed due to heavy rain and falling debris, stranding hundreds of people. Water and other essential aid are being provided to the passengers stranded in tunnels and other routes by the administration. As a precaution, all schools and colleges in Mandi district have been closed for a day.
Meteorological Department's Warning
The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for heavy rainfall for the next 48 hours. The administration has been put on alert mode, and continuous monitoring is being carried out. Water had entered a leprosy patients' ashram located in the Padhar area at midnight, and the police and SDRF teams immediately rescued 12 people and moved them to a safe place.
Water Level Rises in Beas River, Dam Gates Opened
The water level of the Beas River has risen rapidly due to continuous rain. The water level has reached 1.68 lakh cusecs, creating a dangerous situation. The gates of the Larji and Pandoh dams have been opened. Also, electricity generation from the Larji and Dehar hydroelectric projects has been temporarily stopped. Additional water has been released from the Kol Dam from an 800 MW turbine to maintain the balance of the dam.
Heavy Damage in Dharmpur and Surrounding Areas
In Langni village of Dharmpur, more than 10 houses and a cow shed have been washed away due to a cloudburst. Five livestock have died in the debris. Standing crops in the fields have also been completely destroyed. In addition, electricity and communication services in the area have been affected. Villagers have been moved to safe places and relief camps.
Worsening Situation in Mandi City
The situation in Mandi city is also serious. Water entered residential areas due to the blockage of a drain near Thanehra, damaging several houses. Teams from the administration and the municipal corporation started removing water from the houses at midnight. The administration has appealed to people to vacate the low-lying areas and move towards safe places.
Administration's Rescue Operation Continues
Apoorva Devgan, the Deputy Commissioner of Mandi district, said that special teams of SDRF, police, and local administration have been deployed for relief and rescue operations. Immediate relief is being provided to all affected areas. Affected families are being moved to safe places, and the damage is being assessed.
