Munish Sood
Mandi : In a dramatic turn of events, the historic Bhakli Bridge in Pandoh was swept away by the raging waters of the Beas River following days of relentless rainfall across Himachal Pradesh. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning, severing a vital link between Aut and Banjar and leaving local residents and commuters stranded.
Eyewitnesses reported a deafening roar as the river, swollen beyond its banks, surged through the valley and tore through the bridge’s foundation. The collapse was captured in chilling visuals that quickly circulated on social media, showing the structure crumbling under the force of the current.
Authorities confirmed that no casualties were reported, thanks to timely alerts and the swift evacuation of nearby residents. However, the destruction of the bridge has disrupted transportation and emergency services in the region. The Mandi-Kullu National Highway has also been closed due to landslides near Shani Mandir Aut, compounding the crisis.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rescued six individuals trapped in their homes in the lower market area of Pandoh, where floodwaters had entered residential zones. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the region, forecasting continued heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours.
Local officials have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid riverbanks. Relief teams are on standby, and temporary shelters have been set up for those displaced by the flooding.
The Bhakli Bridge, once a symbol of connectivity and resilience, now lies in ruins—its collapse a stark reminder of the growing vulnerability of hill infrastructure in the face of extreme weather events.
