A powerful cloudburst struck Mandi district early Tuesday, claiming at least three lives and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The sudden deluge triggered flash floods and landslides, disrupting life in several parts of the town and blocking key national highways. According to officials, the three victims died while trying to save a three-wheeler when they were swept away by fast-moving debris. One person is still missing and is feared to be trapped under the rubble, as per reports. The worst-hit areas include Jail Road, Zonal Hospital Road, and the Sainj region. Over two dozen vehicles parked along Jail Road were either washed away or severely damaged. Flash floods also entered houses near a local rivulet while residents were asleep, catching many unaware. Several homes were buried under debris, and the road leading to the regional hospital was rendered inaccessible. The Mandi Bus Terminus was also inundated. Rescue Ops On Rescue operations were launched swiftly by the district administration, police, and fire brigade teams. "Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, and we are working round-the-clock to clear debris and help affected families," said Additional District Magistrate Dr. Madan Kumar. Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan personally visited the affected sites, while Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur toured the Jail Road area and met with those impacted by the disaster. CM Sukhu Issues Statement Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in a statement, said he was “personally monitoring the situation” and had directed officials to expedite rescue and relief efforts. Meanwhile, the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane and the Pathankot-Mandi national highways remain closed due to landslides. The Chandigarh-Manali highway was also blocked at multiple points, including 4 Mile, 9 Mile, and Dwara, leading to heavy traffic snarls. With this incident, the monsoon death toll in Himachal Pradesh has reached 164. The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) estimates that the state has suffered losses amounting to over ₹1,523 crore since June 20. (With inputs from agencies)