Mandi, Himachal Pradesh – July 1, 2025: Torrential monsoon rains triggered multiple cloudbursts across Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, resulting in at least four fatalities and leaving 16 people missing. The sudden weather events also caused massive landslides and flashfloods, stranding hundreds and damaging homes and infrastructure.
300 People Trapped in Tunnel on Mandi-Manali Highway
Approximately 300 people are stranded inside a tunnel on the Mandi-Manali National Highway, blocked from both the Hanogi and Pandoh ends due to landslides. Over 80 vehicles are stuck inside since midnight. Authorities have begun delivering food supplies to those trapped, though the exact number remains uncertain. So far, 34 individuals have been rescued.
Widespread Destruction Across Mandi
Cloudbursts in Gohar, Karsog, and Jogindernagar subdivisions triggered multiple disasters. In Gohar, nine people went missing after homes were washed away in Siyanj. Two more were trapped in Bada village after a house collapse—four rescued, but two bodies were later recovered.
Three family members are missing from Talwara village after heavy rainfall. In Karsog, one body was found in Purana Bazar while four remain missing. In Jogindernagar, another body was recovered in Neri Kotla village. Rescue teams managed to evacuate 12 students and four women from Karsog’s Government Degree College.
Disaster Response and Evacuations
Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed across affected areas. Seven people remain trapped near a riverside in the Kutti region. Six houses were damaged in Dharampur, where 26 cattle also perished.
As a safety measure, 12 residents of Indira Awas Colony near the Beas River and residents from Pandoh Market have been evacuated due to rising water levels. Schools in Mandi and Kangra districts remain closed for a second consecutive day.
Rainfall Alert and Past Devastation
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh until Wednesday. The region is still recovering from the devastating monsoon of 2023, which claimed over 500 lives across the state.
Ongoing Rescue and Monitoring Efforts
Rescue operations are ongoing as weather conditions continue to challenge the efforts. The administration is monitoring river levels, landslide-prone zones, and ensuring evacuation from vulnerable areas. Authorities urge citizens to remain indoors and avoid travel unless necessary.
This latest monsoon disaster underscores the urgent need for improved climate resilience and early-warning systems in the hill state, which faces increasing weather-related threats each year.
