Heavy monsoon rains have once again unleashed havoc in Himachal Pradesh. On the night of 25–26 August 2025, the swollen Beas River wreaked havoc along the Chandigarh–Manali highway, particularly between Kullu and Manali, washing away large segments of the roadway—especially the critical four-lane stretch. The floodwaters didn't spare nearby structures either, sweeping away hotels, shops, and even parts of the highway’s retaining walls and bridges.
मनाली में चंडीगढ़ - मनाली 4 लेन पूरी तरह बह गया।
— Sandeep Thakur (@thakurbjpdelhi) August 27, 2025
पहाड़ो में जाने से बचें 🙏 pic.twitter.com/8bpTj55DA9
The destruction has been staggering. In Raison, a 50-metre portion of the highway and its retaining wall collapsed near a luxury hotel, prompting an urgent evacuation. At Bindu Dhank, the road simply vanished. Numerous shops, including a Punjabi dhaba and tourist-facing establishments in Old Manali, were washed away. The Old Manali bridge collapsed, severing connections to surrounding villages.
The human toll has been substantial—not only in infrastructure loss but also in grounded travel. Thousands of vehicles, estimated to be 2,500 cars, are stranded as traffic cannot pass through Kullu–Manali. Emergency measures include diverting remaining traffic through alternative routes such as Raison–Naggar–Manali via the left bank of the Beas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange alerts across regions like Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, Shimla, and Chamba, warning of continued heavy rainfall. With more rain expected, authorities are urging people to stay away from riverbanks, avoid unnecessary travel, and remain vigilant amidst the unfolding crisis.