• Source:JND
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Himachal Pradesh: A devastating cloudburst has unleashed chaos in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, triggering massive floods that swept through several areas and left trails of destruction. Visuals from the region show swollen rivers turning into violent torrents, engulfing everything in their path. It has washed away homes, cut off key roads, and sparked panic among locals as water levels continue to rise.

The relentless rainfall caused rivers and streams to overflow, resulting in severe flood-like conditions. One of the worst-affected areas is the Aut-Luhri-Sainj National Highway, which connects to Kullu’s district headquarters now rendered impassable due to debris and landslides. Two state ministers Prof. Chander Kumar (Agriculture and Animal Husbandry) and Rajesh Dharmani (Technical Education, Vocational, and Industrial Training) were stranded in Banjar, where they had arrived for separate official engagements. Minister Dharmani, who was scheduled to attend the "World Heritage Festival 2025" as the chief guest, was unable to reach the venue.

Widespread flooding has caused severe property damage, with several homes inundated and roads blocked. Areas such as Manikaran Valley, Sainj, and Banjar are among the worst-hit. In Sainj, the overflowing Jiva stream swept away NHPC sheds in Siyund, while the nearby village of Bihali remains under serious threat due to the rapidly rising water levels, Jagran.com reported.

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The situation worsened in Sainj Bazaar, where a camper vehicle and a scooter were washed away by the floods. With roads crumbling in various places, residents have been forced to flee their homes. Authorities have urged people in low-lying areas of the Sainj Valley to remain cautious, as water from the swollen stream could inundate residential areas at any moment.

Emergency services are on high alert. Rescue and relief teams have been deployed across vulnerable zones and are closely monitoring the evolving situation. In the Hurnagad area of Tirthan Valley, the cloudburst caused further devastation damaging two houses and sweeping away two vehicles, according to initial reports.

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In the Baladhi region of Manikaran Valley, a temporary bridge over the Parvati River crucial for connectivity was completely washed away by the floodwaters. This same bridge, which residents had painstakingly reconstructed in 2024 following an earlier natural disaster, served as the only link between the village and the outside world. Its collapse has now left Baladhi cut off and struggling for access.