Cloudbursts Ravage Kullu : Flash Floods, Damaged Homes, and Rising River Threats
The monsoon has barely arrived in Himachal Pradesh, but it’s already leaving behind a trail of destruction. What began as seasonal rains quickly turned into nature’s fury, with cloudbursts and flash floods tearing through valleys, sweeping away bridges, and leaving families stranded.
In the spiritual town of Manikaran, where pilgrims usually bathe in the sacred Brahma Ganga, the gentle stream transformed overnight into a raging beast. Waters surged into homes, forcing families to scramble to higher ground. “We’ve never seen it rise so fast,” said a shaken shopkeeper, watching helplessly as the river swallowed parts of the market.
The nightmare repeated in Jibhi and Sainj Valley, where three vehicles were snatched by flash floods like toys in a bathtub. A vital bridge in Sainj collapsed, cutting off several villages. “That bridge was our lifeline,” lamented an elderly villager. “Now we’re trapped until help arrives.”
The real horror unfolded in Hornagarh, Banjar, where a sudden deluge ripped a cowshed apart, buried farmland under debris, and sent muddy waters gushing into a government primary school. A family watched in horror as their jeep was swallowed by the currents while they were unloading groceries. “Everything happened in seconds,” they said, still trembling.
Meanwhile, in Rella Bihal, four houses crumbled under the force of a cloudburst. Three residents went missing while trying to salvage belongings—their families now cling to hope as rescue teams scour the debris.
Race Against Time
Kullu’s administration is stretched thin, with teams fanning across flooded valleys. NDRF personnel stand ready, but the real challenge is the terrain—narrow paths buried under landslides, roads washed away, and rivers still rising. “We’re prepared, but nature is unpredictable,” admitted DC Torul S. Ravish.
The Met Department’s warnings of more rain have turned anxiety into dread. In Gadsa Valley, the Hurla and Pacha streams rage like never before, while Solang Nala—usually a tourist hotspot—has become a danger zone.
A State on Edge
With emergency helplines buzzing and control rooms on 24/7 alert, the government is pleading with people: Stay away from rivers. But for many, these waters are their backyard. “Where do we go?” asked a Sainj farmer, knee-deep in sludge. “This is our home.”
As Himachal holds its breath, the question isn’t just about surviving this monsoon—it’s about how much more the mountains can take.
