Manali/Shimla- Touristy Manali town now looks like a deluge scarred ghost town ravaged by the furious and overflowing Beas River.
The calamity has left hundreds of vehicles stranded, including a "bus carrying tourists" whose fate remains unknown, said locals.
The missing bus has become a subject of discussion among locals residing near Allu ground, Rangari and nearby villages.
The mystery over this bus may be lifted in days ahead when the data will emerge from the mounds of ruins on the battered riverbanks, with ghost resorts and hotels hanging along precariously as Beas has recharted its course.
The floods have also caused significant damage to infrastructure and disrupted communication networks, exacerbating the fears and anxieties of families of the stranded individuals.
The region between Kalath and Bahang has been badly battered, with a marooned stretch on the Manali-Kullu highway witnessing the disappearance of the tourist bus.
Local villagers have come forward to aid the affected workers, shop owners, and cooks, agents and vendors who had to abandon their belongings to escape the floodwaters.
However, they await urgent relief and support from the government and disaster management authorities. Many telecom towers have also been destroyed, resulting in a lack of connectivity and further complicating the situation.
Numerous vehicles, including couple of Volvo buses, parked near Allu ground, were washed away as the Beas River breached its banks and engulfed the area. While some vehicles and their parts can now be seen scattered amidst the receded river, the fate of others remains unknown.
The floods, which occurred on June 9 and 10, brought the Beas River to its highest recorded level. Countless vehicles, including tippers, buses, and cars, were swept away, and more than 100 cars with stranded tourists remain stuck between Kalath and Bahang on the Manali-Chandigarh Highway.
Efforts to restore connectivity and repair the damaged roads are underway but will take time.
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu visited Manali today and Deputy CM Mukesh visited the affected areas near Bahang to assess the situation and announced immediate relief for those sheltered in camps and the flood victims.
However, the victims in the Rangari and Kalath, Bahang areas are still awaiting assistance.
Many of them were tenants or daily wage earners living in houses that were completely destroyed by the raging Beas River.
The extent of the destruction caused by the floodwaters is evident as ruined houses, resorts, and hotels now stand as ghostly structures amidst the fresh sands of the floodplain.
The disaster management authorities are working to gather data on the damage, including buildings washed away and the number of affected individuals as the first priority is rescue the stranded people to ensure their safety.
While the government has confirmed 17 deaths, the fate of those on the missing tourist bus and others seeking refuge in hotels and homes swept away remains uncertain.
The region continues to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating natural disaster, as rescue and relief efforts are underway to support the stranded tourists and locals affected by the floods.
HP Principal secretary Revenue Onkar Sharma said despite state witnessing a maximum of 3200 percent excess rains in Lahaul Spiti district and a minimum of 500% excessive rainfall in Kinnaur District as compared to normal rainfall, the state government has restored 2800 of the total 4800 affected water supply schemes.
Similarly, most of the water pumping schemes have also been restored. Around 885 JCB's, tractors, tippers and dozers have been deployed to restore road connectivity as 33 bridges were damaged and washed away and over 1100 roads were obstructed, he said.
