Flash Flood Horror in Himachal: 2 Confirmed Dead, 13 Feared Missing – Kullu & Kangra Ravaged
Flash floods strike Himachal Pradesh: 2 dead, over 10 missing in Kangra, and 3 swept away in Kullu. Shocking visuals emerge as rescue teams race against time. Watch the full story now
Search operations have been intensified to trace over 10 people missing since the flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Himachal’s Kangra and Kullu districts, officials said on Thursday.
Two persons died while about 20 were feared swept away due to heavy rains on Wednesday evening but some of the missing people have since been rescued.
In Kangra district, two bodies were recovered and at least 10 people were reported missing. In Kullu district, three people and three houses were swept away by the floods.
DC Hemraj Bairwa confirmed the development and stated that rescue operations are ongoing to trace those possibly swept away by the sudden surge of water.
“We have recovered two dead bodies. SDRF, police, SDM and the district authorities teams are at the spot. We are getting the headcount done to ascertain the number of people missing. More details are awaited. The situation is not as grim as it is being projected,” DC Bairwa was quoted by ANI.
The incident took place near a small hydro power project at the meeting point of several streams. Sudden heavy rains caused water levels to rise sharply, catching both residents and workers off guard.
“Near the Manuni stream, there is a small hydro power project. Some workers lived near it. It is a confluence point of many streams. The water level increased due to heavy rainfall, sweeping some people away… We cannot ascertain the no of people yet. The two deceased are being identified. The official number of the missing people will be out soon…,” said the DC.
Apart from this, a cloudburst struck near Jeeva Nalla in the Sainj sub-tehsil of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday afternoon, triggering sudden flooding in the region and sweeping away four houses.
According to a revised situation report issued by the HP State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), Shimla, at 5:10 pm, two to three people are feared missing after being swept into the Jeeva Nallah, news agency ANI reported.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:41 pm on June 25, downstream of Jiwa Trench Weir in Majhan Nallah, located in the Sainj Valley. The District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), Kullu, confirmed the event and reported a potential sharp rise in the water level of the Sainj River due to increased inflow caused by the cloudburst.
“DEOC Kullu has reported a cloudburst near Majhan Nallah (approx. 1 km downstream of Jiwa Trench Weir, Sainj Valley, District Kullu). Due to a cloud burst, the inflow in the Sainj River is expected to increase considerably. This may lead to a significant rise in Sainj River’s water level,” the official report from SEOC stated.
While no deaths or injuries have been confirmed so far, the State Emergency Operation Centre has flagged that 2-3 individuals are currently unaccounted for, and efforts are underway to locate them. No cattle loss, road blockages, or damage to shops or schools have been reported. No vehicles are stranded, and there is no indication of damage to cowsheds either.
Himachal Pradesh, a state known for its serene valleys and scenic beauty, is once again facing nature’s fury. Torrential rains over the past 48 hours have triggered devastating flash floods in parts of Kangra and Kullu districts, leaving 2 dead, over 10 missing, and several feared swept away in swollen rivers and streams.According to initial reports from state authorities and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), continuous rainfall since late Tuesday night led to sudden flooding in streams near the Kangra valley, causing landslides, road blockages, and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
In Kangra, rescue officials confirmed 2 deaths as water levels rose rapidly in residential zones, washing away temporary homes and trapping several people. More than 10 individuals are still unaccounted for, with massive rescue operations underway.
In Kullu, where heavy rains lashed the Parvati Valley and Manikaran region, at least 2–3 people were seen being swept away in dramatic footage captured by onlookers. The video, which has since gone viral, shows a group stranded on rocks in the middle of a surging river as floodwaters rise rapidly around them.
Search and rescue teams from the SDRF, ITBP, and local police are working tirelessly in affected areas. Helicopters have been deployed in certain locations, though weather conditions have limited air support.
As of Thursday morning:
- Over 200 villagers have been relocated from high-risk zones.
- Road connectivity to 15+ villages remains cut off due to landslides and washed-out bridges.
- Relief camps have been set up in Baijnath, Bhuntar, and Manali.
The district administration has urged residents to avoid riverbanks and stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
Meteorological experts link this week’s disaster to a cloudburst-like event combined with above-average monsoon rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued an Orange Alert for the region, warning of potential flash floods and landslides.
In many hill districts, deforestation, unregulated construction near riverbanks, and weak drainage infrastructure have made such areas more prone to flash floods. Officials fear the situation could worsen if rainfall continues in the coming days.
Several videos shot by locals have surfaced on social media, showing:
- A group of tourists stranded on rocks in Parvati River before being swept away.
- Homes collapsing near Dharamshala as water rushes through narrow village paths.
- Cars being dragged downstream in Kullu as panicked bystanders scream for help.
These visuals have raised urgent questions about tourism safety and early-warning systems in flood-prone zones.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister expressed grief over the lives lost and assured citizens that all efforts are being made to locate the missing and provide aid.
For tourists and locals:
- Avoid visiting Himachal over the next 72 hours unless necessary.
- Do not cross bridges, streams, or rivers on foot during or after rain.
- Monitor IMD updates and follow district administration alerts.
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