Did 17 Cloudbursts in One Night Devastate Himachal Pradesh..

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh witnessed a terrifying night of natural disaster on Monday, as 17 cloudbursts struck various parts of the hill state within just a few hours. The extreme weather event led to the death of 18 people, including 16 from Mandi district alone, while 34 individuals remain missing. Over 330 people were rescued in time as flash floods and landslides wreaked havoc.

The unprecedented rainfall and simultaneous cloudbursts left several villages submerged, houses swept away, and roads completely blocked. District administrations across Mandi, Shimla, Kullu, and Kangra were overwhelmed by the scale of destruction. In multiple areas, rescue teams struggled to reach affected people due to damaged roads and broken communication lines. According to state emergency response officials, the maximum devastation occurred in the Seraj, Thunag, and Gohar regions of Mandi district. Entire families were caught unaware as gushing waters destroyed homes in the dead of night. In Kangra, vehicles and bridges were washed away as rivers overflowed.

The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, and ITBP teams were immediately deployed for search and rescue operations. Helicopters were used in some inaccessible locations to drop food and medical aid.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep sorrow and announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He also stated that rescue efforts will continue round-the-clock and all affected families will be rehabilitated on priority.

Meteorological officials had issued a heavy rain alert, but the sheer intensity and simultaneous nature of the cloudbursts overwhelmed local preparedness. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rain in the region over the next 48 hours, urging people to stay indoors and avoid hilly routes. Tourist activity has also been suspended across major destinations like Manali, Dharamshala, and Kasauli due to safety concerns.

Environmentalists warn that such extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change and unplanned construction in eco-sensitive zones. As Himachal grapples with nature’s fury, the state is once again reminded of its vulnerability during the monsoon, and the urgent need for robust disaster management and sustainable development.