Flash Flood Devastates Dharampur, Leaves Two Missing and Buses Damaged

A sudden flash flood struck Dharampur in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh around 01:00 on Tuesday, leading to significant destruction. At least two individuals are reported missing, with 20 buses belonging to the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) swept away, alongside over 100 shops that sustained damage.

The flood was triggered by water from the Son rivulet, which surged into the bus stand located near the riverbed. Eyewitness accounts indicate that parked HRTC buses and four private vehicles were carried away by the force of the water. Some buses were found up to 200 feet from the bus stand, while others remained submerged. A tempo traveller parked nearby also suffered extensive damage, and its driver, who was inside at the time, has since gone missing. Another individual, believed to have been in a vehicle, could not be located.

Rescue Efforts and Economic Impact

A team from the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) initiated search operations, but as of the latest updates, the missing persons have not been found. The floods also impacted nearby homes, with several along the stream sustaining damage. In a separate incident, around 150 children stranded in a local hostel were successfully rescued by community members and district administration officials.

According to the Mandi administration, the floodwaters caused severe damage to 104 shops in the bus stand and the main market area of Dharampur, carrying away considerable debris and impacting nearly all businesses at the bus stand. Mandi’s additional district magistrate, Madan Kumar, confirmed that immediate relief of ₹10,000 (approximately $120) has been distributed to 152 shopkeepers affected by the disaster.

Local authorities have also reported the destruction of a footbridge over the Son rivulet. Dharampur DSP Sanjeev Sood stated that a coordinated rescue and relief operation was initiated as soon as news of the flash flood reached the police department.

Environmental Concerns and Political Response

Residents have long expressed concerns regarding illegal mining activities in the Son river, which environmentalists consider a significant factor contributing to the flooding. In light of the catastrophe, local MLA Chandershekhar Thakur ended a week-long protest, joined by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Tuesday. Both leaders visited the bus stand to assess the damage firsthand.

According to Agnihotri, the flash flood, coupled with heavy rainfall, has led to estimated losses of around ₹10 crore (approximately $1.2 million) to public and private property in Dharampur. He noted that HRTC alone incurred an initial estimated loss of about ₹6 crore (around $720,000). “A total of 20 buses were badly damaged, and the bus stand itself has suffered severe damage. Fortunately, the corporation’s staff is safe,” Agnihotri stated.

In response to the disruption, the Deputy Chief Minister indicated that transport services on main roads would be reinstated using buses that were parked outside the bus stand, with directives issued to HRTC to facilitate this process.

The situation remains critical as authorities continue to coordinate rescue and relief efforts in the aftermath of the flash flood.