Floodwater enters Manali bus stand, vehicles damaged

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KULLU, JULY 13

The incessant rain since last night flooded the Bhajogi and Siyal Nullah at Manali. As the rainfall continued, water and slush entered some hotels, houses and shops. The Volvo bus stand at Manali was swamped with muck.

According to information, the drain near the entrance of the town was flooded and water started flowing on the roads. Police personnel reached the spot as soon as they got the information and diverted the traffic.

The water and slush then entered the Volvo bus stand, breaking the rear glass of a parked HRTC bus. A few buses were also damaged. Drivers of the buses had to take their vehicles out of the bus stand. However, no major loss was reported.

The bus stand at Manali is located on the banks of the Beas river. If the Beas is flooded during heavy rain, the bus stand bears the brunt. Last year too, the Volvo buses parked at the stand were flooded with water following heavy rain.

Earlier, a Volvo bus and a few other vehicles were washed away during the floods in the Beas. The long-pending demand of the residents to construct a tall RCC flood protection wall for the bus stand has remained confined only to papers and nothing has been done so far.

Manali Municipal Council Chaman Kapoor said that the condition of the drains was being improved. He urged people to cooperate in widening the drains so that the damage due to water could be prevented.

Kullu ADM Prashant Sirkek said the MeT Department had issued a warning of heavy rain. No person should go to the banks of the river.