The death toll in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, has tragically risen to 14 following recent cloudbursts and flash floods. Authorities have recovered three additional bodies, and search operations are ongoing for 31 people who remain missing.
The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reports that the most recent body, which is yet to be identified, was discovered in Rode, located in the Thunag subdivision of the district. Earlier, two more bodies were recovered. In total, seven bodies have been found in Gohar, six in Thunag, and one in the Karsog subdivision.
The devastating weather events, including ten cloudbursts, three flash floods, and a landslide, struck various parts of Mandi on Tuesday. These incidents have caused widespread damage, with over 150 houses, 106 cattle sheds, 31 vehicles, and 14 bridges destroyed. Tragically, 164 cattle have also perished in the calamities.
Rescue efforts have been substantial, with 402 people evacuated to safety, including 348 in Mandi. Five relief camps have been established to provide assistance to those displaced by the disaster.
The adverse weather conditions have significantly impacted infrastructure, rendering 246 roads impassable, with 145 of these in Mandi district. Furthermore, 404 electricity transformers and 784 water supply schemes have been disrupted across the state.
One of the victims included a 70-year-old woman, Devku Devi, whose body was recovered after she and eight members of two families sought refuge on the roof of a house to escape the flash floods, only to be swept away. The families were from Pangloor village of Sainj panchayat in the Gohar area of Mandi. Her husband, Padam Dev, 75, remains missing.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a special relief package to aid in rebuilding damaged homes and has promised enhanced compensation for lost livestock and destroyed cow shelters. He also visited the disaster-hit Syathi village in Dharampur.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert, warning of more intense downpours and a heightened risk of flash floods and landslides. A warning of low to moderate flash-flood risk in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts has also been issued which might hamper search operations.
Efforts are underway to restore essential services and provide support to those affected by the disaster. The armed forces have joined the rescue and relief work, and helicopters have been deployed to supply rations to the flash flood-hit Seraj area.
