Chamba still cut off

Chamba, August 14

Due to the blockade of Chamba-Pathankot national highway and another connecting route from Chamba to Pathankot and Shimla via Jot by huge landslides triggered following heavy downpour on the second day on Tuesday, the district headquarters has been cut off from the outer world.

The Chamba-Pathankot national highway continued to remain blocked near Panjpula, about 55 km from here, while the Chamba-Pathankot and Shimla highway via Jot remained blocked near Dugli and Kali Ghaar near Chowari.

However, the work to remove debris and boulders from the highways was in full swing, Deputy Commissioner Harikesh Meena said here, adding that four JCBs and two dozers along with PWD workforce had been pressed into service.

“Both the lifelines of Chamba linking the outer world are expected to be opened soon”, the DC claimed. He informed that three bridges had been washes away in flash floods in the district, four houses and 12 cowsheds had totally collapsed. — OC