Flash Floods in Himachal Pradesh – 3 Dead, Dozens Missing
🗓️ Date: June 26, 2025
📍 Location: Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India
📰 Source: Associated Press (AP), Local Disaster Authorities
🔍 What Happened?
On June 25, torrential rainfall in northern Himachal Pradesh triggered a flash flood in a remote area of Kangra district. The flood swept away several structures, including homes and temporary shelters.
👥 Casualties:
- 3 confirmed dead (including 2 children)
- Around 12 people missing
- 10+ injured, some critically
🌧️ Cause of the Flood
Unseasonal and intense monsoon rains, arriving earlier than usual. Rainfall crossed 200mm in 24 hours—classified as very heavy rain.The terrain in Kangra is mountainous, making it vulnerable to landslides and flash floods.
🚨 Rescue Efforts
NDRF teams (National Disaster Response Force) deployed immediately.Army helicopters used for aerial surveys and to airlift stranded villagers.Local villagers and NGOs assisting rescue under coordination of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).Authorities have suspended traffic on key mountain roads and issued warnings in nearby districts.
🧱 Infrastructure Damage
Roads washed away in several spots.
Electricity and mobile networks are down in parts of Kangra and Chamba.
Damage to small hydropower units and agricultural land reported.
🧠 Expert View
According to Dr. Arvind Singh, a climate scientist from IIT-Roorkee:
“This is part of an ongoing trend of climate volatility. Flash floods are becoming more frequent in Himalayan regions due to the warming of the Indian subcontinent and the changing monsoon patterns.”
🌊 1. INCIDENT BACKGROUND- Time of Flood: The flash flood occurred around 4:30 AM IST on June 25, catching most villagers asleep and unprepared.
- Region Affected: Primarily the Jogindernagar sub-division in Kangra district, with spillover effects in parts of Mandi and Chamba.
- Trigger: A cloudburst was reported by local weather stations, causing sudden river swelling.
🧭 2. GEOGRAPHY & VULNERABILITY
River System: Small rivers like the Gaj Khad and Neugal overflowed their banks, sweeping away homes built close to riverbeds.
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☁️ 3. WEATHER ANOMALY
Mandi: 178 mm
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👨🚒 4. RESCUE AND RELIEF OPERATIONS
A. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- Deployed 3 teams with inflatable boats, sonar, and sniffer dogs
- Rescued 48 stranded people from rooftops and treetops
- Recovered bodies of two children and a woman in the village of Bada Ghera
- B. Indian Army & Air Force
- 2 helicopters from Pathankot base air-dropped food packets, medicines, and water to isolated hamlets Used night-vision drones for search ops during nighttime
Local Response
Himachal Police launched a 24-hour control room
Volunteers and NGOs provided medical support and blankets
🏚️ 5. DESTRUCTION DETAILS
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| 🏠 Homes Damaged | 125 semi-permanent and kutcha homes |
| 🚗 Roads Destroyed | 4 major roads, 7 village link roads |
| ⚡ Power Outages | 3 substations submerged |
| 🛜 Communication | 2 telecom towers collapsed, mobile network down in 5 villages |
💬 6. OFFICIAL STATEMENTS
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu:
"We have declared it a state-level disaster event. Emergency funds have been released and all schools are shut till further notice."
Home Minister Amit Shah (on X/Twitter): “Centre is monitoring the situation. NDRF and Air Force have been given full authority for rescue.”
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📈 7. BROADER IMPACT & CLIMATE CONTEXT
- Changing Rain Patterns: Flash floods in Himalayan states have doubled since 2010, per IMD and IIT Delhi data.
- Ecological Concerns: Experts are urging stricter land-use regulation, especially near rivers and slopes.
- Insurance Losses: Estimated at ₹85–₹100 crore; most villagers uninsured.
🔮 8. WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT
- 24-hour Rain Forecast: Very heavy rain in Kullu, Shimla, Mandi, potential for more floods and landslides
- Advisories: Tourist travel banned in 6 districts. Mobile alerts being sent to local populations.
- Damage Assessment: A central government team will arrive in 2 days for a formal survey and relief planning.