Avalanche kills elderly man in Lahaul village

Dipender Manta
Tribune News Service
Mandi, January 14

A 65-year-old man was killed in an avalanche at Pyaso village under the Barbog panchayat in Lahaul and Spiti on Monday evening.

Identified as Nwang Chhopel, the victim was on his way back home after feeding cattle at a nearby shed when an avalanche struck. Chhopel was buried under a heap of snow and died on the spot. His body was pulled out after several hours. There are reports of avalanches being triggered at several places in the district, posing threat to common man.

On Sunday, a massive avalanche was triggered at Dimru Nullah near Thirot village, which blocked the flow of the Chenab. The district administration is constantly monitoring the situation as blockade of river water for long hours may prove disastrous to people living in the downstream.

The HP State Disaster Management Authority has issued a fresh warning of avalanche from Manali up to entire Lahaul and Spiti at key locations prone to the disaster.

The places under threat for the next two days are Tandi, Kirting, Thirot, Kukumseri, Udaipur, Trilokinath, Koksar, Sissu, Keylong, Darcha in Lahau Spiti and Nehru Kund, Kulang, Palchan, Kothi, Rohtang tunnel north portal toward Sissu and Kalath in Kullu district.

The district administrations of Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti have issued fresh advisory for residents to take precautions while moving out. Tourists have been advised to avoid venturing into high-altitude areas.

Downpour damages Palampur house

Dharamsala: A double-storey house of Prem Chand, a resident of Jagrota village, was damaged on Monday due to heavy spell of rain in the region for the last two days. The house was ‘kutcha’ and therefore its roof collapsed. The district administration has shifted the affected family to a safer place.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Prajapati said he had given Rs20,000 to the affected family as ex gratia. The state has done well in implementation of the Prime Minister Awas Yojana, yet a number of houses in rural areas are ‘kutcha’ and therefore vulnerable to climatic conditions. tns

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.