Shimla, June 25 (UNI) The first major spell of monsoon rains has caused widespread disruption across Himachal Pradesh, with a cloudburst in the upper reaches of the Sainj valley in Kullu district triggering a flash flood early today.
The flash flood occurred in the ‘Jeeva rivulet’, sweeping heavy debris downstream and raising alarm in low-lying areas.
According to visuals circulating on social media, the cloudburst occurred high up in the valley, unleashing a torrent of water mixed with mud, boulders, and forest debris. As a precautionary measure, operations at a Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd. (HPPCL) hydropower project in the vicinity were temporarily suspended.
No casualties have been reported so far, but an official statement from the Kullu district administration is awaited.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Flash Flood Guidance Bulletin, warning of low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts for the next 24 hours. The alert remains in effect until 11:30 AM on June 26, with the IMD cautioning about high surface runoff, waterlogging, and inundation risks, especially in saturated watersheds.
Heavy rainfall has already battered several locations. Palampur recorded 145.4 mm, Jogindernagar 113.0 mm, and Nahan 94.0 mm in the past 24 hours. These rainfall levels fall under the “very heavy to extremely heavy” category, significantly raising the risk of landslides and flash floods.
The IMD also noted gusty winds up to 56 kmph in Tabo, and thunderstorm activity in Sundernagar and parts of Kangra. Despite rainfall, maximum temperatures stayed above normal, with Bhuntar recording 35.4°C and Kukumseri the lowest minimum at 13.1°C.
With the southwest monsoon now fully active across Himachal Pradesh, the state faces an increased threat of cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods. The weather office has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places for the next five days, urging residents and authorities to stay alert, monitor updates, and strictly follow safety advisories.
News report coming here said that Kaza Samdhu road is blocked due to landslide and thawing of Glacial bodies in the high streams. Road is totally blocked. UNI ML SSP