Historic Bridges Washed Away, Highways Closed Amid Heavy Rains in Himachal Pradesh

Torrential rain in Himachal Pradesh has caused several bridges to collapse, as well as landslides and flash floods.

Ashwani Kumar, the Additional District Magistrate of Mandi, reported that the historical Panchvaktra bridge in Mandi district was washed away, as was a 50-year-old bridge connecting Aut with Larji.

News agency ANI shared footage depicting the 50-year-old bridge connecting Aut in Mandi district with Larji beside Sainj and Banjar being washed away in the torrential rain.

#WATCH | A bridge connecting Aut-Banjar washed away as Beas river flows ferociously in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh

(Video confirmed by police) pic.twitter.com/q9S8WSu96Z

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2023

Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur said that these bridges were of significant historical significance for Himachal Pradesh.

Visuals from Meenus as Rain continues on Himachal Pradesh - Uttarakhand border pic.twitter.com/siNMO7MMpA

— Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) July 10, 2023

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms will continue in the state for the next few days.

The incessant downpour resulted in approximately 20 landslides, 17 flash floods, and damage to over 30 houses, along with roads and vehicles. Officials stated that major rivers such as Ravi, Beas, Satluj, Swan, and Chenab were overflowing.

#Beas River today created History by touching the 1877 Built #Victoria bridge 🙏🏻

Several Bridges in #Mandi district surrendered today in front of Beas

9th July 2023 = A Date to Remember#HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/Y7OebGtgcr

— Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) July 9, 2023

Earlier, videos captured the swollen Beas river sweeping away a section of the national highway in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.

#WATCH | Portion of National Highway 3 washed away by overflowing Beas river in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh pic.twitter.com/c8gRsvSkt5

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2023

As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, and hundreds of people are stranded in different parts of the state. There have also been reports of muddy water gushing into houses in Una, shops submerged in Manali, and vehicles flowing in floodwater in Kullu, Kinnaur, and Chamba districts.

The government has urged people to stay safe and avoid traveling during this time.