Image Source: Agencies

Aug 19, 2025: Torrential rains and multiple cloudbursts have wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi and Kullu districts, causing widespread destruction, road blockages, flash floods, and severe disruption to essential services.

A massive landslide at Dwada has completely blocked the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway, a vital regional link in Mandi district. Even the alternate route via Kataula has been rendered unusable due to landslides, halting traffic between Mandi and Kullu. For the past three days, more than 200 roads in Mandi have remained blocked, preventing transportation and causing significant inconvenience. Due to their inability to transport their agricultural and horticultural produce to markets, local farmers are among the most severely affected. As a result, perishable goods are said to be spoiling, costing the farming community a lot of money.

A cloudburst struck the village of Swad in the Chauhar Valley of the Mandi district in a separate incident, causing the water level in a nearby stream to suddenly rise. Farmlands and two fish farms were washed away, and several houses sustained damage. Despite the fact that the incident occurred around midnight, residents were able to evacuate to safer areas in time to avoid injury. As a precaution, SDM Padhar Surjeet Thakur ordered the closure of all private and government educational institutions under the Padhar subdivision.

A devastating flash flood was brought on by a second cloudburst in the Kullu district around 2:30 a.m. in the mountainous area above Kanoun village in Lag Valley. Three shops were swept away, a bridge over the Boobu stream was destroyed, and homes, orchards, and farmland were severely damaged by the flood. Roads have been severely obstructed by massive boulders and debris, separating villages and limiting mobility and communication. The Kullu district administration has ordered the closure of schools and colleges in the Banjar and Kullu Sadar areas as a response to the crisis. Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh issued the directive, citing multiple reports of cloudbursts, landslides, flash floods, and structural damage.

In Kullu, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for August 19 due to the possibility of additional flash floods and landslides and continued heavy rainfall. Restoration efforts are currently underway, and emergency services remain on high alert. Officials, on the other hand, warn that it may take several days to completely reopen blocked roads and restore normalcy.