Himachal Pradesh is reeling under the impact of relentless rainfall and devastating cloudbursts, leaving at least five people dead and several others missing in different parts of the state. The severe weather has thrown daily life out of gear, with Kangra and Kullu emerging as the worst-hit districts.

According to IANS, three additional bodies were recovered on Thursday in Kangra district, taking the death toll higher. In a grim development, at least 10 workers deployed at the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric Project were swept away by a raging current in Manuni Khad on Wednesday. Search and rescue operations, led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were launched on Thursday to trace the missing workers.

Flash floods have triggered widespread destruction across Kangra and surrounding areas. As reported by ANI, over 250 people were rescued in a massive operation involving state and central disaster response teams in Dharamshala.

Kangra Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri described the rescue efforts, telling ANI: “Some people were swept away in the flash floods. Yesterday, SDRF, local police, and Himachal Pradesh Home Guard volunteers conducted a search and rescue operation in which 250 people were successfully rescued and two bodies were recovered. Today, NDRF also joined the local police at these spots. Three more bodies were recovered today. Out of the total, four bodies have been identified. Three people are missing. One survivor has been rescued from the forest.”

She further added: “Today, the situation is better because apart from the 250 people of these groups, no other missing persons have been reported.”

Amid the crisis, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has directed all Deputy Commissioners to remain on high alert and to stay available to the public around the clock, in view of the worsening weather.

Meanwhile, cloudburst activity and a sharp rise in river flow were also reported near the Jiwa Trench Weir in Majhan Nallah of Kullu around 1:41 PM on Wednesday, worsening fears of fresh flash floods.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted isolated heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring states between June 25 and July 1. As reported by ANI, an orange alert has been issued for June 29, warning of heavy to very heavy rain, potential flash floods, and landslides across Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kangra, Chamba, Kullu, and Mandi districts.

The IMD also noted that light to moderate showers were expected on June 26 and 27, with a brief respite on June 28, before rainfall intensifies again on June 29 and 30. Authorities have advised locals and tourists to steer clear of riverbanks and hilly slopes during this period.