A wave of natural disasters hit the northern hill states as torrential rains and cloudbursts triggered flash floods across Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, claiming lives, washing away infrastructure, and bringing key pilgrimage routes to a halt.
Just a day after the devastating cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur also experienced a severe cloudburst on Wednesday morning, leading to a flood-like situation across the region. The Kinnaur-Kailash Yatra, one of the key religious pilgrimages in the state, has been suspended effective immediately.
Scary visuals from Kinnaur showed muddy torrents of water tearing down hillsides, carving through rock faces and destroying key sections of the pilgrimage route. Several bridges, including those over the Tanglippi and Kangrang streams, have been washed away, stranding hundreds of yatris. Authorities have begun evacuating the trapped pilgrims via the Purvani route under challenging weather conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for very heavy rainfall in the next 12 hours across multiple Himachal districts, including Kangra, Chamba, Hamirpur, Lahaul-Spiti, and Mandi.
Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand, the aftermath of Tuesday’s cloudburst in Uttarkashi’s Dharali region has been grim. The Kheer Ganga river overflowed violently, sweeping away several houses, hotels, and even a centuries-old temple. At least four fatalities have been confirmed, and around 60 individuals are feared missing. Authorities estimate that 60–70 people may still be trapped under rubble and debris, with roads blocked and the rainfall showing no signs of relenting.
Rescue efforts are underway but are being severely hampered by persistent rain, landslides, and rising river levels. The Indian Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local officials are jointly coordinating the massive rescue operation. Distressingly, 8 to 10 army personnel are also reported missing from a camp near the lower Harsil region.
In light of these extreme weather conditions, the Kedarnath Yatra has also been suspended indefinitely. Officials are urging citizens and pilgrims to avoid travel in these high-risk zones until further notice.
