Cops clearing snow from Leh highway escape avalanche

Police personnel had a close shave when an avalanche struck their vehicle on the Manali-Leh highway between Solang Nala and Dhundhi in Kullu district today. The incident occurred as the police personnel were clearing snow from the highway with the help of shovels. Fortunately, there was no one in the vehicle when the avalanche hit it and the police personnel had a narrow escape.

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DSP, Manali, KD Sharma said that while the avalanche hit the vehicle, there was no casualty or injuries to the police personnel, who were working to clear snow from the road.

As of now, the Manali-Leh highway remains blocked to traffic beyond Solang Nala towards Keylong due to the avalanche that occurred at multiple locations between Solang Nala and the Atal Tunnel. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was clearing snow and it assured people that the highway would be reopened for traffic soon.

The severe weather conditions caused disruptions in the region. Fresh snowfall in Lahaul and Spiti today led to power outages in large parts of the district. Residents of Demul village in Lahaul and Spiti urged local MLA Anuradha Rana to order the Public Works Department and the BRO to restore road connectivity to their village. The road blockade left a person with a leg fracture stranded in his village without medical assistance. The authorities concerned continue to monitor the situation closely.