Cloudburst Triggers Flash Flood in Mandi: Three Dead, One Injured; Highways Blocked and Widespread Destruction Reported. 

Shimla:

A devastating cloudburst struck the Jail Road area of Mandi district in the early hours of Tuesday, leaving three people dead, one critically injured, and causing widespread damage to homes and vehicles. The incident, which occurred when residents were asleep, led to flash floods that swept through the locality, wreaking havoc on the region’s infrastructure.

According to district officials, a sudden heavy downpour during the night caused a minor water stream to swell dramatically. The surging waters entered houses, damaged several vehicles, and left behind a trail of debris, disrupting normal life in the area.

Tragedy struck a local family when four of its members were swept away by the sudden deluge. The family had reportedly rushed outside in an attempt to move their auto-rickshaw to a safer location after noticing rising water levels. However, before they could act, a flash flood engulfed the area. Rescue teams recovered the bodies of three victims at the scene, while one individual was rescued in critical condition with a fractured leg.

Emergency services, including the district administration’s workforce and heavy machinery, have been deployed to clear debris and restore road connectivity. Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and former minister Kaul Singh Thakur visited the affected site and met the grieving family members to offer condolences and assure government support.

The cloudburst and subsequent landslides also disrupted transportation across several key highways in the region. The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway was blocked at two locations—4 Mile and 9 Mile—due to landslides. The Mandi-Pathankot highway was also rendered impassable between Mandi and Jogindernagar. Several other rural and link roads across the district have reported blockages due to landslide debris.

Authorities are currently assessing the full extent of damage, and restoration work is ongoing on a war footing. Meanwhile, residents have been advised to remain cautious as the region continues to experience intermittent rainfall.

Further updates will follow as the situation develops.