Himachal Pradesh: Cloudburst in Mandi Kills Over 260, Kiratpur-Manali Road Blocked

Himachal Pradesh faced yet another climate shock on August 17, 2025, as a cloudburst in Mandi district's Takoli area over Shalanal Nala brought highways, rivers, and villages under strain. The incident left major routes like the Kiratpur-Manali and Shimla-Mandi highways flooded with water and debris, forcing authorities to halt traffic. While no casualties have been reported, the repeated disruption underscores how vulnerable the hill state has become to extreme weather events.

Rivers in Spate, Villages at Risk

In Mand Bhograwan village, the swelling Beas river inundated farmland and inched dangerously close to homes, pushing authorities to evacuate over 100 families. Tributaries such as Dehar Khud, Dehri Khud, and Buhal Khud also overflowed, amplifying the flood threat. Officials said one multi-storey house is at risk of collapsing, a stark reminder of how fragile human settlements in flood-prone zones have become.

Infrastructure Under Stress

The Shimla-Mandi highway, a vital lifeline, partially sank into the Sutlej river near Tattapani-leaving only a narrow 4.2-metre strip for vehicles. Continuous rainfall has damaged boundary walls of government offices, private homes, and even industrial structures, revealing how vulnerable Himachal's infrastructure is to intense downpours.

The Jhalogi stretch between Mandi and Kullu was blocked by debris, while alternate routes like Kataula-Kamand also remain unstable. Authorities admit that with rain continuing, full restoration will take time.

Pong Dam Discharge Raises Alarm

Heavy rains in catchment areas pushed the Pong Dam close to its danger mark, forcing the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to release 57,221 cusecs of water-the highest discharge this season. With inflows rising beyond one lakh cusecs, warnings have been issued to downstream regions of Kangra and Hoshiarpur, raising fears of submersion in low-lying areas.

Climate Pattern Worsening

Meteorologists have issued an orange alert for districts including Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, and Chamba, warning of more heavy rain. Experts note that such extreme rainfall events-cloudbursts, sudden floods, and landslides-are increasing in frequency, making Himachal Pradesh particularly vulnerable to climate change.

Authorities are urging residents and tourists to avoid non-essential travel and to remain vigilant near riverbanks.