Flash Floods Devastate Himachal's Mandi, Killing Three
A cloudburst triggered severe flash floods in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, resulting in at least three deaths and one person missing. The deluge inundated houses and buried over 20 vehicles in debris, with areas like Jail Road and Saini Mohalla being worst-hit. The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway has been closed at multiple points due to washed-away sections. The disaster compounds the state's monsoon woes, which have already caused losses exceeding ₹1,500 crore this season. An orange alert for further heavy rain has been issued.
Unpacked:
A cloudburst is an intense rainfall event, typically exceeding 100 mm per hour, over a small area in a short time. In mountainous regions like Mandi, steep slopes and inadequate drainage cause rainwater to rush downhill rapidly, triggering flash floods, landslides, and widespread destruction.
Rescue operations in Mandi involve the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and home guard. Relief camps have been established, roads are being cleared, and power restoration is underway. Authorities have also closed schools and advised residents to avoid travel for safety.
Experts attribute the rise in disasters to deforestation, unregulated construction in ecologically sensitive areas, and the region’s natural susceptibility to landslides and floods. A recent geospatial study found over 45% of Himachal Pradesh is highly vulnerable, and climate change is intensifying extreme weather events.
The Mandi cloudburst is part of a severe 2025 monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh, with 42 flash floods, 25 cloudbursts, and 32 landslides since June 20. The state has suffered over 160 deaths and economic losses exceeding ₹1,500 crore, with Mandi district recording the highest fatalities.