Heavy snowfall, rain batter Chamba, Pangi valley cut off

Heavy snowfall in high-altitude areas and relentless rainfall in mid and low-lying areas severely hit normal life in Chamba district today. The Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal mountain ranges, along with mid hills, were covered with snow and essential services like electricity, water supply and transportation were disrupted. It had been raining heavily in Chamba district for the past three days.

Nonstop snowfall and rain over the past three days triggered multiple landslides, leading to road blockade and several areas cut off from the district headquarters — the Pangi valley was entirely cut off. Heavy snowfall also hampered the Jukaru festival in the valley.

Due to landslides and rock falls, over 70 buses, both government and private, were stranded in different regions. Most local routes in Chamba remained suspended on Friday, except for a few operational ones.

Though the Chamba-Banikhet-Pathankot road remained open, the risk of landslides and falling rocks persisted.

Meanwhile, the Chamba-Bharmour highway, besides the Chamba-Holi, Chamba-Jot-Chowari and Chamba-Tissa roads were was completely blocked due to landslides at various places. The Salooni-Langera and Himagiri roads were also closed. Shugal Singh, Regional Manager, Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), said that around 36 corporation buses were stuck due to road blockade. Only a limited number of local buses were sent on operational routes on Friday. The Chamba-Banikhet-Pathankot Road remained open for long-route buses, but caution was advised due to high possibility of landslides.

The district authorities deployed men and machinery to restore traffic on key routes. In Kumar panchayat of Pangi, three people had a narrow escape after they were swept away by an avalanche. One of them sustained minor injuries on his leg while the other two escaped unhurt.

Meanwhile, most of the areas in the district, including the outskirts of Chamba town, plunged into darkness after several electricity poles uprooted due to landslides. In remote regions, electricity transformers were malfunctioning, leading to power outages.

Rivers and rivulets in the region were in spate following continuous downpour, increasing the threat of flashfloods in low-lying areas. Officials concerned advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel and not to drive vehicles in risk-prone areas to prevent mishaps. Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repswal urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and advised drivers to avoid risky routes.

70 buses stranded

• Essential services like electricity, water supply and transportation have been disrupted
• Nonstop snowfall and rain over the past three days triggered multiple landslides, leading to road blockade
• Due to landslides and rock falls, over 70 buses, both government and private, are stranded in various places in the region