AUGUST 2, 2024 - In a tragic turn of events, Himachal Pradesh has been hit by severe cloudbursts leading to the death of five people and leaving around 50 missing. The heavy rains have caused a significant breach at the Malana 1 hydel project in Kullu district, exacerbating the flooding situation.

The Malana 1 project’s barrage was compromised after a deluge of water from the cloudbursts overwhelmed the dam. Kullu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Torul S Raveesh confirmed the breach, stating that the water levels have now receded and the situation is under control. Despite the government's prior preparations for the monsoon, early warning systems at dams across the state remain incomplete.

The overflow from the breached dam caused substantial downstream devastation. People trapped in underground structures of the Malana I project have been reported safe, with ongoing rescue efforts by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and home guard teams.

In Jari, a village downstream from Malana, an NDRF team successfully rescued around 20 stranded individuals. Siddharth Thakur, a resident of Manikaran, described the scene: “The water was gushing downstream, and you could see the river basin widening. Water reached and entered houses near the riverbanks in Baladhi village, and homestays in the Parvati Valley have been damaged as well.”

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as rescue and relief operations persist in the affected areas.