Severe floods created massive disruption after water submerged the toll booth on the key highway to Manali, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. The crisis did not remain limited to Himachal Pradesh but spread across Jammu, Kashmir, and Punjab, where collapsing roads, broken bridges, and rising water levels in residential areas added to the panic.
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh, forcing authorities to shut down the Manali highway. The water gushing across the toll booth area brought traffic to a halt, with long queues of vehicles stretching for kilometers. In Punjab, swollen rivers overflowed their banks, washing away small roads and cutting off several villages from nearby towns.
Jammu and Kashmir also witnessed intense downpours that flooded low-lying areas, pushing families out of their homes. Rescue teams rushed to evacuate people and move them to safer places. Officials sounded fresh warnings of more rainfall in the coming days, raising fears of landslides and further road blockages.
The situation in Manali became especially critical for tourists, many of whom struggled for shelter and food. Hotels reached full capacity as travelers waited for connectivity to resume. On social media, visitors described long waits, shortages of essential supplies, and delays in rescue operations.
The Himachal Pradesh government deployed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to help clear debris and rescue stranded commuters. Police tried to divert traffic through alternative routes, but relentless rain slowed the process. Authorities advised travelers to postpone non-essential trips to Manali and nearby hill regions until the weather improves.
Across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu, the floods destroyed homes, bridges, and farmland. Early estimates suggested financial losses worth crores of rupees. Officials emphasized that restoring connectivity on the Manali highway remains their top priority, although persistent rainfall continues to challenge their efforts.
