July 1, 2025: Sudden cloudbursts on Monday night triggered flashfloods and landslides across Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, leaving four people dead and 16 missing.
Rescue operations are underway, with 99 people evacuated from affected areas as authorities continue efforts to trace the missing and restore blocked routes.
Of the 16 people missing, nine are from Siyanj Panchayat where two houses were swept away. In Gohar's Talwara village, three more people were washed ashore, and four are still missing in Karsog. Residents and students from Palace Colony, DIET, Bada, Bassi, Kutti, and Rikki villages, as well as Government Degree College Karsog, are among those who have been evacuated. The rescue operations are being carried out by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, home guards, and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
The deluge also caused widespread damage — 10 houses and 12 cowsheds were destroyed, and 26 cattle perished.
In Dharampur subdivision, landslides in Serthi and Bhadrana villages led to house collapses, prompting safety concerns.
Highway blocked, commuters stranded
Key transportation routes, such as the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway, have been severely affected, with several points of blockage. Between Mandi and Aut, numerous tourists have been left stranded by landslides near the Jhalogi Tunnel, Four Miles, and Pandoh. Some commuters were stuck overnight inside road tunnels, prompting authorities to suspend vehicular movement from Mandi toward Kullu as a precaution. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed personnel and machinery to clear debris and restore traffic.
During rising inflows, Pandoh and Larji dams release water: The situation became critical as heavy rain in the Beas River's upper catchment areas led to a sharp increase in inflow at Pandoh Dam. Authorities were forced to open spillway gates to manage the water levels, causing the Beas to swell downstream. The Larji Hydro Electric Project (126 MW) in Kullu also increased its water discharge due to rising water levels and high silt content. Similar warnings have been issued to the public and tourists in the area.
Schools closed as precaution:
As a precaution, District Magistrate Apoorv Devgan has ordered that all schools and educational institutions in the Mandi district will be closed on July 1 due to the hazardous conditions, which include rain, flooding, and road blockages. The district administration has urged residents to avoid travel in vulnerable areas and remain alert as adverse weather conditions persist.