An overnight cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district wreaked havoc in Dharampur town, submerging the bus stand and market, sweeping away several Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses, cars, and burying houses and shops under debris.
Officials said one person is feared missing after flash floods inundated vast areas of Dharampur, around 250 km from Shimla.
Locals described the devastation as far worse than the 2015 floods. Heavy rain lashed most parts of Mandi district from around 11 p.m., intensifying by 1 a.m. and forcing people to rush out of their homes in panic.
The bus stand was completely flooded, and several parked HRTC buses were washed away. Houses along the banks of the swollen Saun rivulet, a tributary of the Beas, were submerged, while many vehicles — both four-wheelers and two-wheelers — were swept away by the strong current.
Residents waiting at the bus stand had to run to upper floors for safety as water entered the building and inundated nearby shops. Fear-stricken families climbed onto their rooftops and stayed there through the night. Nearly 150 children were safely shifted to higher floors of a hostel.
Police said no fatalities have been reported so far, though one person remains missing. Debris has entered many homes and shops, compounding the damage.
Rescue and relief operations are underway, though strong currents initially hampered efforts. The water level of the rivulet has since receded to normal.
Heavy rain also lashed the Sarkaghat subdivision of Mandi district.
Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur termed the damage “colossal” and said reports of destruction were coming in from several areas. “I urge people to remain alert, prioritise their safety, and strictly follow the guidelines issued by the administration,” he said.
Shimla and its surrounding areas also witnessed multiple landslides and traffic disruptions due to the relentless downpour.
(IANS)