Late on July 28–29, a sudden cloudburst-triggered flash flood devastated Mandi town in Himachal Pradesh, claiming the lives of three people and leaving a woman unaccounted for, officials confirmed. Torrential rain unleashed debris-laden waters that inundated Jail Road, Saini Mohalla, and the Zonal Hospital area, severely damaging homes and submerging more than 20 vehicles across a five-kilometer radius.

Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said rescue teams - including NDRF, SDRF, and local Home Guards - have evacuated dozens and are still searching for the missing individual. Three bodies were recovered, one from an auto-rickshaw swept away in the deluge .

Critical connectivity has been disrupted: the Chandigarh–Manali National Highway (NH‑21) has been closed at 4 Mile, 9 Mile, and Dwada due to landslides and washouts. The Mandi–Jogindernagar (NH‑154) route is also blocked. Restoration efforts are underway under challenging conditions, with rain continuing to hamper operations.

The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mandi, Kullu, and Kangra districts, raising fears of further flash floods and landslides.

Authorities are urging residents and travellers to avoid vulnerable areas, remain vigilant, and follow official advisories as search and relief activities continue.