Himachal Pradesh Rains: 5 Dead, Several Missing In Flash Floods Triggered By Cloudbursts, IMD Issues Orange Alert - Latest Developments

Shimla: At least five people have lost their lives so far after heavy rain and cloudbursts wreaked havoc in parts of Himachal Pradesh, throwing life out of gear. Notably, three more bodies were recovered on Thursday in Kangra district. At least 10 workers deployed in the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric Project were swept away in the strong current in Manuni Khad, reported IANS.

Apart from Kangra, Kullu is also the worst affected district in the state. According to reports, five people are also missing in the flash floods.

Over 250 people were rescued in a major operation by state and central teams after flash floods hit parts of Dharamshala, officials said, as reported by ANI.

Speaking to ANI, the Kangra Superintendent of Police, Shalini Agnihotri, said the flash floods had swept away several individuals, triggering immediate search and rescue operations by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police.

#WATCH | Kullu, Himachal Pradesh | Roads in Manali are damaged due to flash floods and heavy rainfall pic.twitter.com/2O29IF2BIe

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2025

"Some people were swept away in the flash floods. Yesterday, SDRF, local police, and Himachal Pradesh Home Guard volunteers conducted a search and rescue operation in which 250 people were successfully rescued and two bodies were recovered. Today, NDRF also joined the local police at these spots. Three more bodies were recovered today. Out of the total, four bodies have been identified. Three people are missing. One survivor has been rescued from the forest," She stated.

"Today, the situation is better because apart from the 250 people of these groups, no other missing persons have been reported," she added.

This morning: Flash floods hits Dharamshala after a sudden cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh, india. pic.twitter.com/EMQRmxr9Kw

— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) June 26, 2025

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu directed all the Deputy Commissioners of the State to stay alert. He asked the officials to be available 24/7 for the public in the wake of adverse weather conditions.

Meanwhile, search operations involving National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescuers intensified to trace the missing people. At least 10 workers deployed in the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric Project were swept away in the strong current in Manuni Khad on Wednesday. The NDRF team started a search and rescue operation on Thursday.

In Kullu, a cloudburst and sudden increase in the river's flow were reported near the Jiwa Trench Weir in Majhan Nallah around 1:41 PM on Wednesday.

A powerful cloudburst triggered a massive flash flood in Hullu, Himachal Pradesh, India earlier today. pic.twitter.com/p2p1DfjjCa

— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) June 25, 2025

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring states between June 25 and July 1. An orange alert has been issued for June 29 in the state, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and potential flash floods and landslides in districts including Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kangra, Chamba, Kullu, and Mandi, reported ANI.

The IMD added that light to moderate rainfall is expected on June 26 and 27, with a brief improvement on June 28, followed by intensified showers on June 29 and 30. Locals and tourists have been advised to avoid riverbanks and slopes during this period.