Toll Rises to 13 in Himachal as Cloudbursts Wreak Havoc

A total of eight deaths were reported in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh till 6 pm on Wednesday, taking the toll to 13 after a series of cloudbursts and flash floods in the district since Monday night, officials from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said in a statement, adding that 29 people are missing.

- Shailee Dogra

MANDI: A total of eight deaths were reported in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh till 6 pm on Wednesday, taking the toll to 13 after a series of cloudbursts and flash floods in the district since Monday night, officials from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said in a statement, adding that 29 people are missing.

"In several areas of Thunag, Karsog, and Gohar sub divisions of Mandi, cloudbursts led to fatalities and destruction of property. In Siyanj area of Gohar, two houses were washed away on Monday night, leaving nine people missing, of whom two bodies were recovered on Tuesday morning," the statement said.

One death each was reported in Thunag, Purana Bazar in Karsog, and Parwara/Talwara in Gohar areas of Mandi district, while two deaths each were reported in Dhar Jaroal, Kelti, Neri Kotla in Jogindernagar, Siyanj, and Bada areas of the district.