Flash flood kills three in Mandi

Since the onset of monsoon, 94 people have died and 35 have gone missing in rain-related incidents in Himachal

- Dar Ovais

Three people were killed when a cloudburst triggered a flash flood in Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh early morning on Tuesday, officials said.

Since the onset of monsoon in the state on June 20 till the evening of July 29, Himachal has suffered losses to the tune of ₹1,523 crore. So far 94 people have died and 35 have gone missing in rain-related incidents and 1,350 houses have been fully or partially damaged in the state.

The flash flood inundated roads and houses in the Jail Road area, sweeping away three people, and injuring one. Debris blocked the roads and several vehicles were left stranded. The incident occurred at around 3.30 am on Tuesday.

The three deceased included a mother and son. The deceased were identified as Balbir Singh, son of Krishan Singh, Aman-preet Singh and his mother Sapna, son and wife of Darshan Singh, who also sustained injuries and is admitted to Mandi Zonal Hospital, an official said. All three victims belonged to the same family. According to locals, they had gone out to move their auto-rickshaw amid heavy rain when they were swept away by the flash flood.

Officials said that the heavy rainfall has caused severe destruction in areas like Jail Road, Hospital Road, Sain Mohalla, and nearby residential areas. Water and debris entered many homes along the Skodi Khad, rendering several houses unsafe.