Himachal Pradesh was battered by severe weather on Wednesday evening when a cloudburst unleashed massive flash floods, sweeping away infrastructure, cutting off entire villages, and leaving residents stranded.
Officials confirmed that two small bridges in Shimla and Lahaul–Spiti were washed away, while more than 300 roads, including two national highways, have been closed across the state. In Shimla, floodwaters damaged several houses and the local electricity board office. In Ganvi Ravine, a police post was swept away, while a bus stand and adjoining shops were also badly hit. Connectivity to three villages, Ganvi, Kiao, and Koot has been completely severed. Authorities said no casualties have been reported so far.
Videos on social media captured torrents of muddy water tearing through hilly towns, smashing into homes and shops. In Bathad village, flash floods surged into the settlement, forcing residents to flee to higher ground. The situation was worsened by multiple landslides across the state. In Kullu, District Collector Torul S. Ravish confirmed that two cloudbursts in the district caused sudden rises in river levels, prompting urgent evacuations.
In Kinnaur, flash floods left four civilians stranded and one injured. Responding to an urgent request from local police, the Indian Army deployed a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) column. “Braving darkness, fast currents, and unstable terrain, the team reached the location and discovered four civilians stranded on the far bank of the river,” the Army said in a statement on X. All four were brought to safety.
This year’s monsoon has been especially brutal for Himachal Pradesh. Since 20 June, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has recorded more than 240 rain-related deaths. Mandi district has reported the highest number of fatalities, followed by Kangra.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, warning residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert to the risks of further cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides.
