Massive landslide disrupts Holi-Tiyari link road in Chamba

A massive landslide on Monday blocked the Holi-Tiyari Road in the Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district, leaving residents of Upper and Lower Tiyari and nearby villages facing significant travel difficulties.

The landslide occurred after warning signs were observed, with small stones falling from the slope. Local residents, sensing the danger, quickly raised alarms, prompting people in the vicinity to move to safer locations. Moments later, the entire mountainside collapsed, completely obstructing the road. Fortunately, no vehicles or pedestrians were on the road at the time of the incident.

Chamba is highly susceptible to landslides due to its fragile hillsides, where unstable slopes, loose soil, and frequent rainfall contribute to recurring risks. This landslide further underscores the challenges faced by residents in the region, as transportation and daily life are severely impacted.

Last year, the Chamba-Holi Road was blocked for months due to repeated landslides, causing immense hardship for locals. Despite efforts to clear debris, fresh landslides repeatedly obstructed the route, highlighting the urgent need for long-term stabilization measures in the area.

Two days earlier, a private bus narrowly escaped a major accident on the Chamba-Tissa road due to a landslide. Naresh Kumar, Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department, confirmed that the Holi-Tiyari link road was blocked at around 11 AM. Efforts are currently underway to clear the debris, and authorities are hopeful that the road will soon be reopened to ease the movement of residents.