Munish Sood
Mandi : Continuous heavy rainfall since late Monday night has caused widespread devastation in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, claiming at least two lives and leaving one person missing. The relentless downpour, which began around 11 PM and continued for over eight hours, has led to flash floods, landslides, and major infrastructural disruptions across the town.
The two deceased were residents of Jail Road, one of the worst-hit areas. According to local officials, their bodies were trapped under debris after a sudden surge of water and mud swept through the neighborhood. While one body has been recovered, the search for the second individual is ongoing.
City Paralyzed, Roads Blocked
The torrential rain triggered a flood-like situation in several parts of Mandi, particularly along Jail Road and Hospital Road, where stormwater drains overflowed and brought down heavy debris onto the roads. The situation has been described as “alarming” by civic authorities, with large portions of both roads completely blocked.
The Zonal Hospital Mandi, the district’s primary medical facility, has been severely impacted. Access to the hospital has been hampered by waterlogging and debris buildup at its entrance, making it extremely difficult for ambulances and emergency patients to reach the facility.
In several residential areas, water and sludge entered the ground floors of homes, damaging property and submerging vehicles. Numerous two-wheelers and cars were either washed away or left heavily damaged. Municipal teams have begun debris removal operations, but continuing rainfall is hampering progress.
National Highways Cut Off
The disaster’s impact extended beyond city limits. Two major national highways — the Chandigarh–Manali Highway (NH-3) and the Mandi–Pathankot Highway (NH-154) — have been closed due to multiple landslides and road collapses. Long traffic jams have been reported, with hundreds of vehicles stranded at various locations between Mandi and Kullu.
Relief Efforts Underway
The district administration has deployed teams from the Public Works Department and Disaster Management Authority, along with JCB machines, to clear blocked roads and restore connectivity. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been placed on alert in case the situation escalates further.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the region, forecasting more heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 to 48 hours. Authorities have urged residents to avoid travel and remain indoors, especially those in landslide-prone areas.
Situation at a Glance:
• Casualties: 2 confirmed dead, 1 missing
• Key Areas Affected: Jail Road, Hospital Road, Zonal Hospital vicinity
• Infrastructure Damage: Road blockages, damaged homes, submerged vehicles
• Highways Closed: NH-3 (Chandigarh–Manali), NH-154 (Mandi–Pathankot)
• Relief Measures: Debris clearance, emergency teams on ground, NDRF on alert
• Weather Forecast: Continued heavy rainfall for the next 24–48 hours
