Manali’s famous Sher-e-Punjab restaurant, a landmark for tourists and locals, was washed away into floodwaters of the overflowing Beas River that swept through the Bahang area late Monday night. Only the entrance wall of the eatery is still standing, a stark reminder of the flash floods and landslides triggered by relentless rains that continue to batter Himachal Pradesh. A video is going viral on social media that captures the horrifying sight of the restaurant collapsing into the water. According to local media, most of the structure, including its kitchens and furnishing, was turned into rubble in just a matter of hours.
Only the entrance wall is left
Locals reported hearing a thunderous crash around midnight as the overflowing river engulfed the building. For decades, Sher-e-Punjab was a famous landmark among tourists for its Punjabi cuisine. The iconic place has been on the must-visit list of tourists.
tragic situation in Manali, Himachal Pradesh
In Manali, the iconic Sher-e-Punjab restaurant was heavily damaged by the strong floodwaters. Most of the building was washed away, leaving only the front gate wall standing pic.twitter.com/9HW9SS6LbO
— Go Himachal (@GoHimachal_) August 26, 2025
Monsoon fury disrupts roads, power water supply
A local media portal The Newz Radar quoted Harvinder Singh, a local guide, stating, “This is not just the loss of a building, but the loss of a part of Manali’s identity.” Several nearby shops and homes were also washed away. District authorities have shifted families to safer places as water levels continue to be dangerously high.
The tragedy comes amid widespread monsoon havoc that has disrupted all over Himachal Pradesh. According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), around 68 roads, including three highways, remain closed because of flooding and landslides. Over 2,300 electricity transformers are not working, leading to a disruption in the power supply. More than 230 water supply schemes are also affected. Since the arrival of the monsoon on June 20, the state has registered 306 deaths. In which 306 death cases are from rain-related incidents, and 150 are from road incidents. The India Meteorological Department has predicted that heavy rains will continue in the region for the next 24 hours. Schools and colleges have been closed for safety, as authorities brace for another flash flood and landslides.
The state metrological department has also issued red alert for Tuesday, predicting intense rainfall in parts of Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and Kangra. An orange alert warning has also be declared for Shimla region, Mandi, Solan, Hamirpur and Bilaspur in view of heavy downpours in these areas.