Severe Cloudburst Devastates Farmland in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi District

Impact of Cloudburst in Koratang Village

Munish Sood

Mandi: A significant cloudburst caused by heavy monsoon rains hit Koratang village in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh late Saturday night, resulting in the destruction of agricultural land and small irrigation systems, according to local officials on Sunday.

The incident occurred along a seasonal stream in the Paddhar subdivision, leading to the loss of at least three traditional water channels, known as puhulis, and making several privately owned fields unusable due to excessive silt and erosion.

“While there were no reported injuries, the impact on our fields is catastrophic,” remarked a local resident. “This land may not be suitable for cultivation this season.”

A revenue officer from the district administration has conducted an initial assessment of the damages. Disaster management teams are currently monitoring the situation as forecasts predict additional rainfall.

Officials have cautioned that unchecked development and changing weather patterns have heightened the risk of cloudbursts and flash floods in the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh. Residents are urged to avoid unstable slopes and report any early signs of soil movement.

Compensation plans are anticipated to be announced following a comprehensive damage assessment by district officials.