Tourist Dies After Scorpio Plunges Off Road Near Himachal’s Atal Tunnel

A tourist died and three others were injured after a black Scorpio car plunged off the road near the north portal of Himachal Pradesh’s Atal Tunnel on Tuesday night. The tourists were travelling from Manali to Lahaul when the accident occurred. Police identified the deceased as 34-year-old Kailash from Sikar in Rajasthan. The injured included Rajendra and driver Siddharth, both residents of Sikar, along with Aditya from Lakhimpur in Uttar Pradesh. According to police, the accident took place around 10 pm shortly after the vehicle exited the Atal Tunnel. The Scorpio allegedly oversped and the driver failed to negotiate a sharp right turn near the Chandra river. Due to darkness and poor visibility, the vehicle reportedly continued straight, fell off the road and crashed into an under-construction bridge over the river.
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Overspeeding and poor visibility suspected in fatal crash

After the crash, the Scorpio became stuck between metal rods of the under-construction bridge. Rescue teams shifted the three injured tourists to a hospital, where they are receiving treatment. Police took Kailash’s body into custody and informed his family members. Officials will hand over the body to relatives after completing the post-mortem examination. Sissu station house officer Mukesh Rathour said police are investigating the incident. Authorities have also warned tourists against travelling late at night on hilly roads, especially during monsoon. They advised drivers to avoid overspeeding because rain makes roads slippery and reduces visibility around sharp bends. The Atal Tunnel route, which connects Manali and Lahaul, attracts many tourists, but officials have urged visitors to follow traffic rules and drive carefully in difficult weather conditions.

Meanwhile, continuous rainfall disrupted normal life in several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over the coming days. At least four people died in separate rain-related incidents across the state. Torrential rain affected Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala, triggering landslides and forcing authorities to close several roads. In Solan district, a woman named Sukhbir Kaur died after a boulder fell on her near Aut on the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway. She was travelling with her family to Manikaran and had stepped out of her vehicle when the boulder struck her. Officials said the incident caused fatal injuries and emergency teams later responded to the spot.

Four killed in separate rain-related incidents across the state

Three more deaths were reported from Kangra district, where electrocution and falls from height caused fatalities during the bad weather. Heavy rainfall created dangerous conditions in many districts, increasing risks for residents and travellers. Villages in Chamba district faced flood-like conditions after debris from nearby mountains entered houses and damaged property. Falling rocks, mud and other material created panic among families living in vulnerable areas. Waterlogged roads and landslides also disrupted movement in several locations. Local authorities deployed teams to monitor sensitive areas and clear blocked roads. Officials asked people living near slopes, rivers and unstable structures to remain cautious. Tourists have also been advised to avoid risky routes until weather conditions improve and roads become safer.

The incidents underline the dangers of travelling through Himachal Pradesh during the monsoon season. Mountain roads often become slippery, while fog, rain and darkness make sharp turns difficult for drivers to judge. Authorities have asked motorists to reduce speed, follow traffic instructions and avoid travelling at night whenever possible. Tourists should check weather forecasts and road updates before starting journeys in hilly areas. Officials recommend stopping at safe locations if heavy rain, fog or landslides affect visibility. District administrations have been directed to stay prepared for emergencies as rainfall continues across the state. Rescue teams and road maintenance workers remain on alert in vulnerable areas. Police will release further details after completing the investigation into the Scorpio accident.

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