Mandi: In a grim reminder of the destructive power of the monsoon in the Himalayan region, at least four people have died and 16 others remain missing following a series of cloudbursts that triggered flash floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district late Sunday night. 

According to officials from the district administration, the cloudbursts occurred in the remote areas of Gohar and Kotli subdivisions, leading to sudden swelling of streams and rivers. The gushing waters inundated several houses, washed away livestock, and left large parts of the hilly terrain cut off from the main roads.

Rescue teams comprising personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and volunteers have been deployed since early Monday morning to search for the missing. However, their efforts have been hampered by heavy rainfall, slippery conditions, and damaged access roads.

“Four bodies have been recovered so far, and 16 people are still missing. We have intensified search and rescue operations despite the challenging weather,” said Arindam Chaudhary, Deputy Commissioner of Mandi. He added that the priority is to locate the missing and provide immediate relief to the affected families.

Eyewitnesses described terrifying scenes as roaring water and mudflows tore through homes late at night, giving residents little time to react. “There was a loud rumble, and within minutes, the stream outside turned into a raging river,” recounted Ramesh Thakur, a resident of Gohar. “Many houses were damaged, and several people couldn’t escape in time.”

Initial estimates suggest that dozens of houses have sustained partial or complete damage, and large sections of roads have been washed away, isolating several villages. Power and water supply have also been disrupted in the affected areas.

The Himachal Pradesh government has announced immediate financial assistance for the families of the deceased and those whose homes have been damaged. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the loss of lives and assured that all possible help would be extended to the affected people.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall in the region over the next 48 hours and issued an orange alert for several districts, including Mandi, Kullu, and Kangra. Officials have urged residents, especially those living near rivers and slopes, to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel until the weather stabilises.

The incident highlights the recurring vulnerability of Himachal Pradesh to extreme weather events during the monsoon season, prompting calls for improved forecasting and better disaster preparedness in the hill state.