A cloudburst occurred in the Sharod Nala area of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, according to the Central Water Commission, Mohal. The sudden downpour caused a rapid rise in the water level of Barogi Nala, which adjoins Sharod Nala, following persistent rainfall in the region.
Officials from the Fire Station Jari, Public Works Department Manikaran, and the District Public Communication Room (DPCR) Kullu confirmed the incident. No loss of life has been reported so far, and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has said that the situation is presently under control.
Heavy rains disrupt life across Himachal Pradesh
The latest cloudburst comes as Himachal Pradesh grapples with the widespread impact of an intense monsoon. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), as of Friday, the state is facing 357 blocked roads, 599 power distribution transformers out of service and 177 disrupted water supply schemes.
Since the start of the monsoon season, 208 weather-related fatalities have been recorded. Of these, 112 deaths were caused by natural disasters such as landslides and floods, while the remainder were due to road accidents. Authorities attribute the surge in accidents to poor visibility and slippery road conditions caused by continuous rain.
Weather alerts issued
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Shimla, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur districts for 9 August. An orange alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, has been issued for 11 and 12 August in several parts of the state.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, avoid unnecessary travel, and pay close attention to official advisories over the coming days, as conditions could worsen.
Cloudburst in Uttarakhand
The Kullu incident follows another devastating cloudburst earlier this week in Dharali village, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Torrents of slush and floodwater swept through the village, destroying homes and forcing residents to flee for their lives.
Videos from the site show the landscape changing within minutes, underscoring the sudden and destructive nature of such events during the monsoon season.