Himachal Pradesh continues to face severe weather conditions as heavy rain warnings have been issued across multiple districts, including Mandi, Kangra, and Sirmaur. The Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for these areas, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall. Additionally, seven districts are under orange alert, while five districts are on flood watch, making this a critical weather event.

Flash Floods in Mandi District: Destruction and Damage

In a significant weather-related incident, Mandi District has once again been hit by flash floods as the region faces intense rainfall. The Chauharghati Silbuddhani area in Koratang saw a cloudburst late at night, causing considerable damage. However, authorities have confirmed that there have been no casualties reported so far. This cloudburst follows a similar incident that occurred earlier in the week, exacerbating the already devastating impact of the monsoon rains.

Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, Kangra, and Sirmaur districts are expected to experience continuing heavy rainfall, with the possibility of further cloudbursts, particularly in the mountainous regions. This dangerous weather pattern has prompted the local authorities to take swift action in terms of providing relief and ensuring the safety of affected residents.

Weather Warnings: Orange and Red Alerts Issued

As per the Meteorological Centre Shimla, the state is set to experience severe weather conditions over the next few days. The red alert has been issued for Mandi, Kangra, and Sirmaur districts, indicating that these areas could see torrential rains and landslides. In addition, an orange alert has been issued for seven districts, including Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, and Solan, where moderate to heavy rainfall is expected. The authorities are particularly concerned about the risk of flash floods in Kangra, Chamba, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur, where residents are being advised to take precautionary measures.

The weather forecast from July 7-8 indicates an increased risk of heavy rainfall throughout the state, with yellow alerts set to follow on July 9. As of Saturday, regions like Kangra have already witnessed heavy downpours, which have contributed to widespread disruptions.

Flooding and Casualties: The Impact of Flash Floods

Tragically, the floodwaters have claimed more lives. Two bodies were found in Nadoun and Kangra, one of which was identified as Inderdev, a 30-year-old resident of Mandi’s Pangliur (Sainj). This brings the death toll in Mandi district to 18 due to the recent natural disasters caused by continuous rains and flash floods.

The rains have severely impacted the state’s transportation and infrastructure. 239 roads are currently closed due to landslides and flooding, including several important roads in the Mandi district, which has the highest number of road blockages. Other infrastructure damage includes 258 transformers and 289 water supply schemes that have also been rendered non-functional.

Airline Cancellations Due to Rain and Weather Disruptions

The ongoing bad weather has also affected air travel. On Saturday morning, due to the heavy rain, four flights coming from Delhi and Chandigarh to Gaggal Airport were cancelled. These included two flights from IndiGo and two from SpiceJet, resulting in further disruptions for travelers in the region.

Government Response: Relief Operations Underway

In the face of these severe weather conditions, the Himachal Pradesh Government is fully prepared to manage the ongoing disaster. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has assured the public that the state government is actively working on relief efforts to mitigate the impact of the floods. He emphasized that the government has allocated necessary resources to provide food and aid to the affected areas, and measures are being taken to assist those displaced by the floods.

CM Sukhu stated that food packets are being delivered to the affected areas through mules to ensure that residents have access to essential supplies. Additionally, efforts have been made to restore damaged roads to speed up the relief operations.

Disaster Relief and Evacuation: Military and NDRF Involvement

Relief operations continue in Mandi, Saraj, Thunag, and other impacted areas, where the Army, NDRF, and SDRF have been deployed to provide much-needed assistance. Over 250 NDRF and SDRF personnel have been stationed in the region to assist in rescue operations and distribute supplies. Helicopters are also being used to transport essential relief materials to remote areas that are difficult to reach by road.

In Thunag, which has been severely impacted, telecommunication services have been restored, and some areas are also seeing a return of electricity. Additionally, ration supplies have begun to reach Janjheli and other hard-hit areas.

Local Efforts and Support: Government Plans for Rent Assistance

The government has also decided to offer financial assistance to those whose homes have been severely damaged. As a part of this initiative, affected families will receive ₹5,000 in monthly rent support. Additionally, 1,317 food kits have already been distributed to families in Mandi district, with more on the way.

In Saraj, apple orchards have been devastated due to the flash floods, and Dinesh, a local farmer, expressed his sorrow about the losses. “We planted about 1,000 apple trees, and they have all been destroyed. Many of them were as old as 25 years. However, our family and animals are safe, which is the most important thing.”

Kangana Ranaut Visits Affected Areas: Raising Awareness

BJP MP and Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut visited the flood-affected areas of Thunag. During her visit, she observed that the area was severely impacted by the flash floods and subsequent flooding, disrupting road connectivity. She emphasized that the government and administration are closely monitoring the situation and are working to restore road connectivity.

Kangana highlighted that relief operations were launched immediately after the floods, with military assistance being provided to the victims. She further assured that the Central Government was fully aware of the situation, and relief funds would be sent to help the affected families.

Himachal Pradesh is grappling with the severe impacts of heavy rains and flash floods, which have caused widespread disruptions and loss of life. As the weather conditions continue to worsen, the state is in crisis mode, with local authorities and relief teams working tirelessly to provide aid and restore normalcy.

While the government and relief teams are on high alert, the ongoing challenges highlight the need for long-term disaster preparedness and infrastructural resilience in the region. With more rains expected, the situation remains fluid, and residents are urged to stay alert and take necessary precautions to stay safe.