Cloudburst Wreaks Havoc in Himachal; Lives Lost, Infrastructure Crippled

A devastating cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district has left a trail of destruction, displacing numerous families and causing significant loss of life and property. The Thunag region of Mandi, in particular, has borne the brunt of the calamity, with flash floods sweeping through villages, washing away homes, and severely damaging infrastructure.

As per reports, the natural disaster has so far claimed around 85 lives across the state. Many residents lost their entire life savings as flash floods destroyed houses, belongings, shops, and livestock. The scale of the damage is massive, with at least 225 houses, 243 cattle sheds, seven shops, 31 vehicles, and 14 bridges reported destroyed or heavily damaged, reports said. Several roads were also rendered unusable, cutting off access to vital areas and hampering rescue and relief efforts.

The cloudburst is believed to have been caused by an intense, localised downpour in the upper catchments, triggered by the interaction between monsoon currents and the mountainous terrain of Himachal Pradesh. The sudden accumulation of heavy rainfall overwhelmed the land's capacity to absorb water, leading to flash floods. The confluence of the Beas and Suketi rivers, both swollen beyond their limits, intensified the flooding, sweeping away structures in their path.

In the face of this tragedy, local communities in Thunag have stepped up to support those affected. Shelter homes and community kitchens have been set up to provide immediate relief in terms of food and accommodation. Volunteers and local organisations are working tirelessly to ensure that displaced families receive the help they need.

While the state government is yet to release a detailed damage assessment and compensation plan, calls are growing louder for long-term mitigation strategies, including better early warning systems, improved drainage infrastructure, and stricter regulation of construction in vulnerable zones.

As Himachal Pradesh suffers under the effects of this disaster, the resilience of its people remains evident. However, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the increasing frequency and severity of such extreme weather events.

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