Man carries groom through swollen stream in Chamba; Viral video exposes monsoon infrastructure crisis
Shashi Bhushan Purohit
Chamba (Himachal Pradesh), August 17, 2026: A dramatic video from Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district has gone viral on social media, showing a young man carrying a groom on his back through a raging stream to help him reach the other side safely.
The incident took place in the Badgram area of Bharmour after the Palani drain suddenly swelled following a cloudburst late Sunday night. What is normally a manageable crossing turned into a dangerous, fast-flowing stream, leaving members of a wedding procession and local residents stranded on either side.
Amid the difficult conditions, Suresh Kumar, a resident of Malkota, stepped forward to help. He carried the groom on his back and carefully crossed the swollen drain while strong currents surged around them.
The entire incident was captured on camera by Manju Kshatriya in the darkness of the night. The footage shows the groom being carried through the rushing water, with the dangerous conditions clearly visible. The video has since attracted widespread attention on social media.
Those present at the spot praised Suresh Kumar for his courage, noting that the situation could have turned tragic had the water level or current increased further.
However, the viral footage has also brought renewed attention to a long-standing infrastructure problem faced by residents of Badgram Panchayat.
According to villagers, the absence of a permanent bridge over the Palani drain makes crossing the area particularly dangerous during the monsoon. While residents can manage the crossing under normal conditions, heavy rain and cloudbursts can quickly turn the route into a life-threatening stretch.
Villagers have reportedly been demanding the construction of a permanent bridge for a long time. They say that residents should not have to depend on individual acts of courage every time the drain overflows.
The incident has therefore raised a larger question beyond the viral rescue: when will a permanent bridge be built over the Palani drain?
While Suresh Kumar’s bravery has earned appreciation, the episode has once again highlighted the risks faced by villagers during extreme weather and the need for safer infrastructure in the region.