Mandi: At least 10 people were killed and 34 others went missing after multiple cloudbursts and flash floods hit India’s northern state of Himachal Pradesh, officials said Wednesday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) reported that the state experienced 16 cloudbursts and three flash floods within 24 hours due to continuous rainfall, leading to extensive devastation.
The Mandi district, located about 133 km north of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, was the hardest hit. An official stated, “During the last 24 hours, a total of 10 people were killed and 34 remained missing in Mandi. Five people were also injured, and 12 remained stranded.”
Officials expressed concern that the death toll could rise, as the chances of survival for those missing after 24 hours are typically low. Additionally, one hydroelectric power project and a bridge were damaged, and a national highway was blocked.
The heavy rains also led to landslides and waterlogging in various areas, causing road closures. Authorities have initiated a significant search and rescue operation in the affected regions, successfully rescuing a total of 370 people.
According to the SEOC, between June 20 and July 1, during the monsoon season, 51 people were killed and 103 others injured in weather-related incidents across the state. The cumulative damage to infrastructure is estimated at 33 million U.S. dollars.
The SEOC has urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly in areas prone to landslides and flooding. In response to the ongoing rainfall, water levels in all major rivers and streams in the state have risen.
The state’s meteorological department has forecasted heavy to very heavy rain to continue across the state until July 7, issuing an orange warning for this period.