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Another Harrowing Night in Himachal: Beas River in Spate, Roads and Hotels Swept Away in Manali; No Relief Expected Before September 1
Massive Landslides and Flooding Along the Chandigarh–Manali Highway Near Mandi
Shimla, Updated At : 18:54 PM Aug 26, 2025 IST
Relentless monsoon rains have triggered severe landslides and flash floods, causing extensive damage to the Kiratpur–Manali National Highway. As a result, traffic between Mandi and Manali has come to a complete standstill.
With heavy rain pounding the hills, flood warnings have been issued for Punjab as well. Swollen rivers are now carrying large volumes of water downstream into the plains, inundating vast tracts of land and severely disrupting daily life.
Since last night, the Beas River and its tributaries have risen to dangerously high levels, prompting emergency evacuations and large-scale rescue operations.
Key Road Links Severed
According to official sources, several crucial stretches of the highway have been blocked. In Mandi district, massive landslides in Dwada and Jhalogi have rendered the road between Mandi and Kullu impassable. Near Dhank, close to Manali, a powerful surge in the Beas River swept away a major section of the highway, cutting off road access to this popular tourist destination.
In another alarming development, a riverside restaurant in Manali was completely washed away, underscoring the growing threat posed by the rising river.
Authorities have confirmed that the Beas is flowing well above the danger mark in both Mandi and Kullu, creating serious risks for residents in low-lying areas.
Emergency Evacuations in Manali
As a precautionary measure, the Manali administration evacuated residents from the Bahang and Alu Ground areas late last night. In a timely rescue, one individual trapped in a building inundated by sudden flooding in Alu Ground was safely brought out by emergency teams.
Officials have urged both locals and tourists to stay away from riverbanks for the next 24 hours, warning that conditions remain unstable.
“The water levels of the Beas and its tributaries are rising steadily due to the ongoing heavy rainfall. Public safety is our highest priority,” a government spokesperson said.
High Alert and Ongoing Response
The region remains on high alert, with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other emergency services on standby. Assessment and repair work on the damaged stretches of the highway are already underway.
The administration has advised travelers to avoid non-essential movement in the area and not to attempt crossing blocked or waterlogged roads. Reconstruction efforts will begin only once the situation stabilizes and debris from the landslides is cleared.
No Immediate Respite From Rain
There is little hope of relief this week. The Meteorological Department has issued a Yellow Alert for the next two days, followed by an Orange Alert for heavy rainfall through September 1.
Himachal Pradesh has been grappling with continuous rainfall for several weeks, leading to widespread loss of life and property.
As of last evening, 793 roads across the state remained blocked. In addition, 956 electricity distribution transformers and 517 water supply schemes were disrupted. These numbers are expected to rise further after last night’s downpour.
Given the forecast for more heavy rain, all educational institutions in Shimla district will remain closed today as a safety precaution.
