Another bad night in Himachal; Beas in spate; roads, hotels washed away in Manali; no respite till September 1

Severe monsoon-triggered landslides and flooding have caused extensive damage to the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway, leading to a complete disruption of traffic between Mandi and Manali.

As it rains in the hills, Punjab is on flood alert as the swollen rivers continue to bring the water gushing down in the plains of the state, inundating large tracts of land and throwing normal life out of gear.

Heavy rainfall in the region since last night has caused the Beas River and its tributaries to swell dangerously, prompting emergency evacuations and rescue efforts.

According to official sources, the highway has been blocked at multiple critical points.

Major landslides at Dwada and Jhalogi in Mandi district have rendered the stretch between Mandi and Kullu impassable. In another incident near Bindu Dhank, close to Manali, a large section of the highway was washed away by the flooded Beas River, severely affecting road connectivity to the popular tourist destination.

In a dramatic turn of events, a restaurant in Manali located close to the riverbank was also swept away by the gushing waters, highlighting the growing threat posed by the rising Beas.

The river is reportedly flowing above the danger mark in both Mandi and Kullu, raising serious concerns for residents living in low-lying areas.

As a precautionary measure, the Manali administration evacuated residents from the Bahang and Alu Ground areas late last night. In a timely rescue operation, one person was safely rescued from a building in the Alu Ground locality after being trapped due to sudden flooding.

Officials have urged locals and tourists to stay away from riverbanks for the next 24 hours, warning that the situation remains volatile.

"The water level in the Beas and its tributaries continues to rise due to ongoing heavy rainfall. Public safety is our top priority," an administration spokesperson said.   The region remains on high alert as meteorological forecasts predict continued rainfall. Emergency services, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are on standby, and efforts are underway to assess and repair the damaged stretches of the highway.

Authorities have advised travelers to avoid non-essential movement in the region and refrain from attempting to cross blocked or waterlogged areas. Restoration work will begin once conditions stabilise and landslide debris is cleared.   Further updates are awaited as the administration continues to monitor the situation closely.

No respite from incessant rainfall throughout the week

There will be no respite from incessant rainfall throughout the week, as the weather department has issued a yellow alert for the next two days and an orange alert for heavy rainfall thereafter until September 1.

The state has been reeling under incessant rainfall over the last few weeks, which has caused damage to both life and property across the state.

Until last evening, 793 roads in the state were obstructed. Besides, 956 distribution power transformers and 517 water supply schemes were also disrupted. The number is expected to spike further following heavy rains at various places throughout the night. In view of the alert for heavy rains, all educational institutions will remain shut in the Shimla district today.