Himachal Flash Floods Claim 3 Lives; 14-Yr-Old Among 8 Missing As Rescuers Battle ‘Inaccessible’ Terrain

Himachal Flash Floods: The death toll in the flash flood disaster that struck parts of Himachal Pradesh has climbed to three, with search efforts continuing for at least eight people still unaccounted for. According to officials quoted by PTI, a third body was recovered on Thursday from the site of a hydroelectric project impacted by the deluge. The region was battered by cloudbursts on Wednesday, affecting Kangra and Kullu districts the most.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) commandant Baljinder Singh, speaking to news agency ANI, confirmed the operation was ongoing in a “very inaccessible area” and stated, “Only the NDRF and SDRF are able to proceed… This is a joint operation of NDRF-SDRF… So far, six people have been reported missing… In the joint operation of NDRF-SDRF, we have recovered one body a short while ago.”

Himachal Flash Floods: Hydropower Project Hit, Workers Swept Away

Flash floods caused a surge in water level at Manuni Khad in Khaniyara village near Dharamshala, triggering devastation at the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project site. A labour colony near the site bore the brunt of the disaster, with 15–20 workers feared to have been swept away. Two deaths were reported on Wednesday in Kangra, while another body was recovered a day later. Officials stated that the victims are yet to be identified and search operations have been intensified, news agency PTI reported.

Some of the missing workers hail from Nurpur and Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, while others are reportedly from Uttar Pradesh.

Authorities have remained tight-lipped about the exact number of rescued individuals, though it has been confirmed that some of the missing have been found, PTI reported. One individual who had fled to a nearby hill during the flood was also located.

Dharamshala BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma Alleges Negligence

BJP’s national president J P Nadda issued condolences to the families of the deceased, stating, “In this hour of crisis, every BJP worker is dedicated to providing all possible help to the citizens of Devbhoomi. I pray to God to give peace to the departed souls and provide strength to the bereaved families.”

Dharamshala BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma, who visited the site on Thursday, described the situation as deeply concerning. “I received a call on Wednesday that the water level had surged and 15–20 people had been swept away,” he said. He alleged gross negligence on part of the contractor and project authorities for not relocating workers from makeshift shelters near the drain despite worsening weather conditions.

According to PTI, he added that the “actual damage to life and property is far greater than what is being reported” and asserted that only the labour contractor could confirm the number of missing workers. Sharma demanded that an investigation be launched and compensation be provided to the families of the deceased.

Officials said that project operations had been halted due to rainfall, and workers were resting in temporary shelters when water from Manuni Khad and nearby drains inundated the colony. As of Wednesday night, around 250–275 workers were employed at the site and have now been shifted to temporary shelter at Ambedkar Bhawan in Khaniyara.

Kullu Still Reeling, Rescue On for Missing, Including 14-Year-Old

In Kullu’s Rehla Bihal area, three individuals — including a 14-year-old — remain missing after being swept away while attempting to salvage belongings from their homes. Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Ravesh confirmed the NDRF’s participation in ongoing rescue efforts and cautioned tourists against venturing into low-lying areas and riverbeds during the monsoon season.

Flash floods have also impacted Manali and Banjar in the Kullu district, with heavy rains wreaking havoc in the Sainj, Gadsa, and Hornagad areas under the Banjar assembly constituency. Banjar MLA Surinder Shauri, after assessing the damage, reported road blockages in Hornagad along with disrupted electricity and water supplies. He directed revenue officials to expedite relief measures.

As reported by ANI, roads have been severely damaged and heavy vehicles have been swept away due to the powerful floods.

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