Manali’s Iconic Sher-e-Punjab Restaurant Ravaged by Flash Floods as Rains Devastate Himachal

Manali, Aug. 26 — Torrential rains and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh have left widespread destruction, with Manali’s iconic Sher-e-Punjab restaurant — a landmark for tourists and locals — almost entirely swept away. Only the front façade of the popular eatery remains standing, while the rest of the structure was destroyed by the swollen Beas River.

The restaurant, celebrated for its authentic North Indian cuisine and frequented by Bollywood celebrities, athletes, food vloggers, and influencers, had long been a cultural staple of the hill town. Its dramatic near-destruction has gone viral on social media, symbolizing the scale of the devastation.

Floods and Landslides Across the State

Officials reported that shops were washed away, multi-storey buildings collapsed, highways were blocked, and residential areas inundated across Himachal. In Manali, flash floods swept away a hotel and several shops, while the Manali–Leh highway was cut off at multiple points.

In Mandi district, two commercial buildings housing nearly 40 shops collapsed late Monday night. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as the structures had been evacuated after being declared unsafe.

The Beas River continues to flow above the danger mark, posing further risks to riverside establishments and communities. Schools and colleges in several districts have been closed as a precaution.

Weather Alerts and Precautions

The local meteorological office has issued a ‘red alert’ for extremely heavy rainfall in Kangra, Chamba, and Lahaul–Spiti, along with an ‘orange alert’ for intense spells in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi, Kullu, and Shimla.

In Shimla, landslides and uprooted trees have led to road closures, while heavy rainfall is forecast to continue over the next 24 hours.

Authorities are urging residents and tourists to remain vigilant as rescue and relief operations continue across the state.