Toll in Mandi cloudbursts rises to 14

The death toll in the devastating rain disaster in Mandi district rose to 14 after one more body was recovered today. The number of missing persons rose to 31 from 29.

Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said that the worst affected region was Thunag, where 92 students and faculty members of the College of Horticulture and Forestry were stranded due to flood-like conditions and damaged roads. However, the students were rescued and brought safely to Bagsyad on foot and later transported to various locations in HRTC buses. They were reunited with their families early today.

The rescue and relief efforts are being carried out in coordination with the NDRF, SDRF, local police and volunteers. So far, 198 people have been rescued while 357 others have taken shelter in six active relief camps, including facilities at a government building, Namdhari Gurdwara in Mandi and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Pandoh.

Drone-assisted search operations have been launched in Syanj village of Gohar subdivision, where two houses were washed away in a cloudburst. Four persons have died in Syanj village while seven persons have gone missing.

The rains have caused widespread damage to infrastructure. As many as 14 bridges have collapsed and 188 roads are blocked, mostly in Dharampur, Seraj, Thalout and Karsog. Over 580 water schemes have been affected and power supply has been disrupted.

Despite challenging conditions, the HPSEBL has restored 1,294 power transformers and three sub-stations in just two days, ensuring electricity supply to relief camps, hospitals and emergency services. The board has deployed special teams and stored key materials like transformers and electric poles for rapid deployment.

The initial estimates put the loss at Rs 115 crore, as over 300 homes and 105 cowsheds have been damaged. As many as 164 livestock deaths have also been reported.

Efforts are ongoing to restore roads and deliver relief materials via helicopters and mules to remote villages. The authorities concerned have assured the public that every effort is being made to reach out to the affected people even in the most inaccessible regions.

Devgan said, “The administration is committed to reaching out to every affected family. Our teams are working round the clock under the guidance of the state government.”