Manali – Torrential rains under a red alert issued by the Meteorological Department have unleashed destruction across Himachal Pradesh, triggering landslides and floods. In total, three national highways and 690 roads remain blocked, while 2,349 power transformers and 234 water supply schemes are disrupted, leaving several areas without electricity and drinking water.
Authorities ordered educational institutions shut across eight districts as heavy rainfall battered the region. Manali has been among the worst-hit areas, where the Beas River swelled dangerously after waters gushed in from Dhundi and Anjani Mahadev, sweeping away the bridge connecting Old Manali.
A video from the Left Bank Road shows the river eroding the road before swallowing a parked vehicle. Officials confirmed that a large stretch of the highway and four-lane road has been washed away, completely cutting off Manali from surrounding regions. Thousands of tourists remain stranded, with hotels near the river evacuated as a precaution. Others are confined to their accommodations, unable to move out.
The fury of the Beas also destroyed the iconic ‘Sher-e-Punjab’ restaurant in Bahang area, which was completely swept away along with four nearby shops. Only the restaurant’s gate now stands as a reminder of the disaster. Authorities continue relief efforts while closely monitoring the river’s surge.
