Manali’s Sher-e-Punjab restaurant swept away as heavy rains trigger floods, landslides in Himachal Pradesh

The disaster was part of a wider trail of destruction across Himachal Pradesh as monsoon rains intensified.

Manali’s famed eatery, Sher-e-Punjab, a long-standing landmark for travellers and locals alike, was left in ruins after torrential rain and flash floods battered Himachal Pradesh. The once-bustling restaurant, situated near the Beas River, was almost entirely swept away by surging waters, with only its front entrance left standing.

Images and videos widely circulated online captured the shocking aftermath, showing the restaurant’s facade clinging on while the rest of the building had been torn away by the floods. The Beas, swollen beyond danger levels after days of relentless rainfall, flowed with force through the popular tourist destination.

Sher-e-Punjab had long been celebrated for its North Indian specialities, drawing generations of diners and attracting prominent visitors, from Bollywood stars to leading sports personalities. In recent years, the eatery had found renewed fame as food vloggers and social media influencers showcased its menu to vast audiences.

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

The disaster was part of a wider trailof destruction across Himachal Pradesh as monsoon rains intensified. Officials confirmed that since Monday night, the state had witnessed landslides, flash floods, collapsed buildings and submerged residential areas.

Authorities stated that a multi-storey hotel and four shops in Manali had also been swept away by the Beas. The Manali-Leh highway, a critical route for travellers and the military alike, was blocked in several stretches due to debris and flooding.

In the Mandi district, two adjoining commercial buildings containing around 40 shops collapsed in the Balichowki area on Monday night. Fortunately, the structures had been evacuated beforehand after being deemed unsafe, preventing casualties.

The intense weather prompted the closure of schools and colleges across several districts. In Shimla, heavy downpours loosened hillsides, triggering landslides and uprooting trees, which blocked roads and caused widespread disruption.

The India Meteorological Department’s local office issued a series of warnings. A ‘red’ alert was declared for the districts of Kangra, Chamba, and Lahaul and Spiti, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas. An ‘orange’ alert was also put in place for Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi, Kullu and the state capital, Shimla, warning of further intense showers.

Officials cautioned that the situation remained precarious, with further rainfall forecast over the next 24 hours.

(With input from agencies)