The iconic Sher-e-Punjab restaurant in Manali was nearly obliterated by the raging waters of the Beas River.
Viral footage circulating online shows the restaurant reduced to rubble, with only its entrance gate and front wall still standing. The eatery, a beloved landmark for tourists and locals alike, stood just feet from the riverbank and was no match for the relentless monsoon downpour.
Himachal Pradesh has been grappling with severe weather for weeks, with over 690 roads closed and 156 lives lost due to landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts. On Tuesday, the situation worsened when 20,000 cusecs of water were released from the Largi Dam, causing the Beas to swell and sweep away infrastructure across the region.
The destruction of Sher-e-Punjab is symbolic of the broader devastation: highways have been severed, multi-storey buildings collapsed, and entire communities displaced. In Kullu district, 40 shops and two buildings were washed away in Balichowki, while the Manali-Leh highway suffered a 200-meter breach.
Authorities have issued red alerts for heavy rainfall in Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi, urging residents to avoid riverbanks and landslide-prone zones. As the state reels from losses estimated at ₹2,394 crore, the resilience of its people and the urgency of climate adaptation come into sharp focus.
