Dharamshala: Four bodies have been recovered and one person was rescued after a devastating flash flood swept through a labour colony near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric Project in Kangra district. The search operation is still underway for three other labourers who remain missing.
Among the deceased, two are from Uttar Pradesh, one from Himachal Pradesh, and one from Jammu and Kashmir. At least three people are still missing.
The incident took place on Wednesday when Manuni Khad in the Khaniyara area of Dharamshala suddenly flooded following intense rainfall. Around 15 to 20 labourers were staying in tin sheds close to the riverbank. When the water level rose unexpectedly, they were swept away in the strong current.
According to officials, two teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and one team from the Home Guard have been deployed at the site to assist in the rescue efforts. The operations are ongoing despite difficult weather conditions.
For the past few days, Himachal Pradesh has been witnessing heavy rainfall, and several districts reported cloudbursts on Wednesday. The floods have caused widespread destruction, especially in Kangra and Kullu. In Rehala Bihal area of Kullu, three people were swept away by floodwaters while trying to save belongings from their homes. Many houses have been damaged or completely washed away, leaving residents homeless.
Authorities have issued a four-day weather warning for Dharamshala and surrounding areas, asking people to stay away from rivers and streams due to the risk of flash floods.
