Shimla: At least five people were killed and several others went missing after a series of cloudbursts and flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall battered Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, prompting authorities to issue an orange alert for several districts, according to reports.
Among the deceased were two labourers from Uttar Pradesh—Pardeep Kumar and Chandan—who were working at a hydroelectric project site in the Sainj valley of Kullu district. The others who lost their lives were identified as Aditya Thakur from Chamba, Chain Singh from Jammu and Kashmir, and one unidentified individual.
Three labourers each were reported missing in the Kangra and Kullu districts. All of them were working at separate power projects in the flood-hit regions. Rescue operations are underway, with teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) deployed in the affected areas, officials told the Hindustan Times.
This is how cloudburst happened in sainj Valley, Himachal Pradesh pic.twitter.com/4MDqxHr4ng
— Siddharth Bakaria (@SidHimachal) June 27, 2025
A cloudburst occurred late Tuesday night in the remote areas of Shahpur in Kangra district, triggering massive flooding that swept through the labour camps. Another cloudburst in the Sainj valley caused a similar deluge, washing away machinery and temporary structures at the worksite. A search operation later rescued one worker who had taken shelter in a nearby forest.
Forty tourists stranded in rain-hit Manali and thirty-one trekkers stuck on the Hamta Pass trek route were rescued in separate operations. Roads and bridges have been damaged extensively in multiple locations, including National Highways 3 and 505. Landslides were reported from various spots, compounding the difficulties for emergency teams.
In light of the continuing inclement weather, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for June 29 in Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kangra, Chamba, Kullu, and Mandi districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall. A yellow alert has been issued for Kangra and Kullu for June 27 and 28.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed all deputy commissioners to remain on high alert and monitor the situation closely. “All district officials should be available 24×7 to address any emergency and ensure the timely evacuation of people living in vulnerable areas,” the CM’s office stated. He further instructed that loss of life and property be reported promptly, and public advisories be issued regularly to prevent further casualties.
With the monsoon gaining momentum in the region, authorities have warned residents and tourists to stay away from rivers and steep terrain prone to landslides. Rescue teams remain on standby across key regions as rainfall continues to lash the hill state.
