Suketi Khud overflows for first time this season, flooding Balh valley; key highways closed, orange alert issued for August 5
Munish Sood
MANDI: Relentless heavy rainfall has battered Himachal Pradesh since late Monday night, with Mandi district bearing the brunt of the monsoon’s fury.
For the first time this season, the Suketi Khud has surged beyond its banks, unleashing flash floods across the Balh valley and turning roads into rivers. The situation remains critical as several roads, including the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway, remain blocked beyond Pandoh since 1 am.
In Gutkar, floodwaters from the Suketi Khud reached the roads and in Lunapani, the main road resembled a gushing river. In a particularly alarming incident, water entered the parking lot of a local hospital, submerging three vehicles. Locals quickly tied the cars with ropes to prevent them from being swept away. At the confluence of the Suketi and Beas rivers in Mandi town, water has risen up to the courtyard of the historic Panchvaktra Temple.
Flash floods trigger panic in Pandoh, villages on edge
The Jyuni Valley near Pandoh witnessed sudden flash floods, creating panic in several villages, including Lot, Slog, Katyas and Bhanach. The Jyuni Khud is currently in full spate, posing serious threats to low-lying areas.
In the Seraj Valley, persistent rainfall has caused water levels in local streams and drains to rise sharply, affecting Thunag and Gohar. The residents in the region remain on high alert.
As of 11 am on Tuesday (August 5, 2025), the Mandi police reported widespread disruption to road connectivity across the district. Key routes that remain blocked include Mandi-Kullu (via Pandoh), Karsog-Rampur, Chailchowk-Thunag, Thunag-Janjehli, Janjehli-Chhatri, Mandi-Rewalsar, Kamand-Parashar, Jogindernagar-Dharampur, Dharampur-Sandhol, Dharampur-Sarkaghat and Pandoh-Gohar.
The authorities are urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel and stay updated with advisories as rescue and relief operations continue.
Record rainfall in Mandi; orange alert issued
According to the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, Mandi recorded the highest rainfall in the state in the past 12 hours — 151.2 mm. Several other areas also received substantial rainfall:
Baggi (Sundernagar, Mandi): 104.8 mm
Sundernagar: 84.1 mm
Murari Devi: 83 mm
Nadaun (Hamirpur): 78 mm
Gohar (Mandi): 72 mm
Karsog: 56.3 mm
Palampur: 55.8 mm
Pandoh: 53 mm
Nangal Dam: 49 mm
Brahmani: 48.4 mm
This intense spell of rain has severely disrupted daily life, with fears of landslides, flash floods and infrastructure damage mounting.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for August 5, indicating the possibility of further heavy to very heavy rainfall and urging district administrations to remain on high alert.
