Himachal CM orders CID probe into Pushpa-style flow of wooden logs after Mandi cloudburst

TNR News Network
Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has ordered a CID investigation into the large-scale flow of timber that was seen being carried by floodwaters into Pandoh Dam in Mandi district following a devastating cloudburst on June 24. The probe aims to determine the origin of the wood and whether it belonged to the Forest Department or was illegally felled.

The Chief Minister made the announcement during a meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority held in Shimla on Monday (July 7, 2025). The meeting was attended by top officials, including the Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, CM’s Principal Media Adviser Naresh Chauhan and OSD Gopal Sharma.

Alarming visuals spark public outcry

Terrifying scenes of massive logs gushing through flooded rivers in Kullu and Mandi districts have gone viral, drawing comparisons to sequences from the film ‘Pushpa’. The videos show flashfloods, triggered by intense monsoon rains, sweeping hundreds of logs downstream, creating panic among locals and authorities.

Experts say the scale and size of the timber indicate it may not just be naturally uprooted trees, but possibly commercially felled wood, raising fears of illegal logging in the region’s already fragile ecosystem.

Timber-laden floodwaters pose major threat

Local officials confirmed that the floodwaters mixed with heavy wooden debris are posing a serious threat to hydropower projects, irrigation structures and bridges. “Such logs can damage dam gates, cause blockages and lead to erosion,” a senior district officer warned.

Emergency teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are attempting to intercept floating logs using temporary barriers to minimise damage.

The Hydropower and Irrigation Departments have been directed to maintain high alert at all dam sites, while villagers downstream have been warned to stay away from riverbanks due to the danger of sudden log surges.

Environmental experts have long cautioned that unchecked deforestation, illegal tree felling, and poor slope management are making Himachal Pradesh more vulnerable to monsoon-related disasters. The latest incident has intensified calls for stricter monitoring and sustainable land use practices.