3-ft snow wreaks havoc; power, telecom services hit in Lahaul

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 13

Heavy snowfall crippled life in tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti during the last two days. The district headquarters Keylong received over two feet of snow, while higher reaches like Koksar, Gondhla and Miyar valley received over three feet of snowfall.

Due to heavy snowfall, power transmission lines have been damaged in several parts of Lahaul-Spiti and a majority of villages are reeling under the cover of darkness. Power supply was disrupted even in the district headquarters of Keylong today while the communication service by BSNL, Jio and Airtel have been disrupted in many villages.

Due to freezing temperature, the water supply has been affected badly in villages and people are forced to melt snow to get water for drinking and domestic use.

Kishan Kumar, a native of Lahaul, said life has become miserable in Lahaul Spiti because of heavy snowfall. There is snow all around and traffic movement has come to a halt. Heavy snowfall has restricted movement of people from one village to the other because the entire district is under threat of snow avalanche in coming days.

Taking note of situation, Deputy Commissioner Lahaul-Spiti KK Saroch has declared two-day holiday in the district schools in view of public safety. The DC stated that due to heavy snowfall, threat of snow avalanche has increased. Snow avalanche warning has already been issued by the HP State Disaster Management Authority.

The DC has urged people to refrain from venturing to high altitude areas in the next few days because there is inclement weather warning for the next few days.

The situation is grim in Kullu district also, where Jalori Pass on the NH 305 received heavy snowfall today.

Jalori Pass connects Ani and Nirmand area with main district headquarters of Kullu, which is blocked for traffic movement since January 8 because of heavy snowfall. The area residents were demanding restoration of Jalori Pass for traffic movement but fresh heavy snowfall has dashed their hopes.

Fresh snowfall was reported in Manali and its nearby places today, affecting normal life badly. However, people associated with tourism industry and farmers are delighted with fresh snowfall.

Nakul Khullar, an orchardist in Kullu district, said that snowfall is boon for fruit crop in the district as it requires adequate moisture content in agriculture land. He said that timely snowfall helps complete required chilling hours for good apple crop. Farmers this year are expecting good crop.

In Kullu and Mandi districts lower regions have been receiving incessant rainfall since afternoon, while upper reaches were witnessing snowfall. At the time of filing of this report, it was snowing in Lahaul-Spiti and higher reaches of Mandi and Kullu, while in lower region there were showers.

The power supply and transportation service has again been affected in several villages of Mandi and Kullu district today.

Efforts are on to restore power and water supply to several villages and restore traffic movement for the convenience of common people.

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