Munish Sood
MANDI:
Two nights ago, Manali witnessed one of the heaviest downpours in recent memory, plunging the popular tourist destination into complete isolation from the outside world. The ferocious rains triggered massive damage, cutting off electricity, mobile networks, drinking water supply and road connectivity. Residents and tourists alike are grappling with the aftermath, struggling to comprehend the scale of destruction.
Manali is now virtually cut off as all approach routes have been swallowed by the swollen Beas river. Normally, two roads connect Kullu to Manali — one along the Left Bank and the other along the Right Bank. However, the torrential river first washed away the Left Bank road near Churudu, and just hours later, a large section of the Right Bank road collapsed near the Vaishno Devi Temple. With both arterial roads gone, access to Manali has been completely severed.
The fuel supply lines have also been hit hard. Diesel and petrol trucks cannot reach the town, raising concerns over shortages in the coming days. Repair work is expected to take considerable time, with no immediate solution in sight.
Emergency measures by authorities
In light of the crisis, Kullu Deputy Commissioner and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Chairperson Torul S Ravish has issued emergency orders. All petrol pumps in the district have been instructed to maintain a minimum reserve stock exclusively for emergency services until further notice.
Disturbing videos of the destruction surfaced on social media, highlighting the sheer intensity of the floods. One widely circulated clip showed the Sher-e-Punjab restaurant in the Bahang area of Manali being completely swept away in the furious currents of the Beas.
Another viral video from the Shirar Resort, a star-rated property located in the Raison area, captured the devastation as the resort’s approach road, retaining wall, and a large portion of its lawn were demolished by the raging waters.
The incident sparked fears of a potential collapse of the property. This was particularly alarming since it marked the second such incident for the resort, which had also faced a similar flood attack in 2023. Fortunately, the rains slowed down before further damage could occur.
Tourists and hotels worst affected
With communication lines down, contacting hotels in Manali has become nearly impossible. Hotel owners and tourists are facing the brunt of the crisis, particularly those who had prior bookings or are stranded with no clear date for returning home. Local reports suggest that many tourists remain stuck inside hotels with no certainty about when normalcy will be restored.
The devastation extends far beyond road blockages. In the Bahang area of Manali subdivision, two restaurants, three shops, one house and three sheds were completely washed away. Near the Club House in Old Manali, five to seven sheds sustained severe damage.
In Dhungri, the road connecting to the historic Manu Temple has broken, severing access. At Patlikuhal, the approach road linking the right and left banks has collapsed, while at Vashisht Chowk up to the Manali bridge, the BRO road has suffered damage at two locations.
The Nehru Kund stretch of the BRO road has also been damaged, with only a single lane of traffic currently functional. Officials estimate that restoring this route may take at least 15 days.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has reported that 45 roads under its Kullu division have been affected, with another 45 roads blocked in the Banjar division. This widespread destruction highlights the immense challenge ahead in reconnecting and rehabilitating the region.
