An overnight cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district submerged the bus stand and market in Dharampur town, swept away numerous parked buses of the state-run Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and cars, and buried homes and shops under debris.
One person is feared missing as flash floods triggered by the cloudburst caused widespread destruction in Dharampur, approximately 250 km from the state capital, flooding large areas, officials reported on Tuesday. Locals stated that the devastation and flooding caused by the swollen Saun rivulet, a tributary of the Beas, was far more severe than in 2015. Heavy rainfall across most of Mandi, the hardest-hit district, began around 11 p.m. and intensified by 1 a.m., forcing residents to flee their homes in fear.
HRTC buses parked at the bus stand were submerged, with some swept away by the floodwaters. Homes along the rivulet’s banks were inundated, and many vehicles were carried off by the powerful current.
People at the bus stand hurried to upper floors as water flooded the complex, submerging shops. Residents climbed onto rooftops for safety, while nearly 150 children were rescued to higher floors of a hostel.
According to police, no confirmed human casualties have been reported so far. One person remains missing, and numerous cars and motorcycles were washed away. Debris also entered several homes and shops.
By Tuesday morning, the rivulet’s water level had returned to normal. Locals joined rescue efforts, though strong currents initially hindered operations. The administration has deployed machinery to accelerate relief and rescue efforts.
Also Read: Heavy rain likely in Himachal from Sept 12 to 14
In addition to Dharampur, heavy rain battered the Sarkaghat subdivision of the district. Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur said the rain had caused colossal damage. He described reports of missing persons from Dharampur and Sarkaghat as worrying.
“I urge the people of the state to remain alert in this weather, give priority to the safety of themselves and their families, and follow the guidelines issued by the administration completely,” Thakur added. The state capital, Shimla, and surrounding areas also experienced multiple landslides and disruptions to daily life due to the downpour.
Also Read: Rain to continue in Himachal till Sept 17
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