Cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh leave 2 dead, up to 20 missing

DHARAMSHALA/KULLU: Two bodies were pulled out from a debris-laden Manuni Khad stream near Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, feared to be among 15-20 workers missing from a private hydroelectric project after a cloudburst unleashed flash floods at the site Wednesday afternoon.

As the monsoon set in over the region, torrential rain battered Himachal - leading to swollen mountain streams and rivers washing away homes and vehicles. IMD has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in several districts.

The workers had been staying in temporary shelters at the project site by the stream in Khanyara when a sudden surge overwhelmed the banks, sweeping away everything in its path.

Videos show torrents of water hurtling down the valley, carrying driftwood, tree trunks and debris.

Also read: Himachal’s rain fury; cloudbursts, flash floods ravage state

"The bodies haven't been identified. We've asked the project contractor to send us the names of all labourers on site. A rescue team is at work," said Kangra DC Hemraj Bairwa, adding that the number of missing is still unconfirmed.

Kullu district bore the brunt of the deluge. Five homes were damaged in Raila Bihal village, and three people - two women and a man - went missing, officials said. Downstream, floodwaters damaged parts of the Parvati hydropower project.

Flash floods struck Sainj, Gadsa, Banjar and Manikaran, flattening homes, flooding roads, and damaging public infrastructure. In Sainj, a cloudburst over Jeeva nullah tore through the valley, sweeping away parked vehicles, washing out Sainj Bazaar road, and cutting off access to Siyund village. A series of cloudbursts lashed Garsa valley, causing the Hurla nullah to breach its banks. Brahmaganga rivulet near Manikaran surged, inundating homes and shops.