Over 100 Gaddi shepherds stranded in Bara Bhangal valley amid flash floods, snowfall

Over 100 Gaddi shepherds are stranded in higher reaches of the Bara Bhangal valley that extends over Kangra, Kullu, and Lahaul and Spiti districts. The shepherds were stuck in high mountains after the collapse of bridges built over local rivulets and rivers. A stretch of mule path, which is regularly used by the Gaddi Shepherds, has also washed away in the flash floods following heavy rain last week. They are also facing shortage of food, medicines etc.

Braham Dass, a local shepherd from Dehradun, along with two companions, travelled 70 km on foot over three days to reach Baijnath yesterday. He informed reporters that approximately 100 shepherds and 3,000 cattle are stranded in areas such as Panihartu, Plachhak and Thamsar Pass. “The shepherds are facing severe food shortage due to collapsed bridges caused by flash floods and heavy rain. Adding to their misery, the area has also received snowfall,” he said.

He has appealed to the local MLA and the state government to arrange a helicopter for evacuating the stranded shepherds from the snow-bound areas. Additionally, he said the state government should also deploy a team of mountaineers from Manali to trace the shepherds, though he cautioned that inclement weather poses a significant threat to such operations.

Kishori Lal, Baijnath MLA, while talking to The Tribune said the state government was well versed with the situation. He said that due to flash floods in the Bara Bhangal valley, most of the bridges constructed over local rivers and rivulets were washed away. He added that the consignments of food supplies sent to the residents of Bara Bhangal and shepherds on horseback have been held up on the way at Plachhak, as the mule path has been completely destroyed. He warned that if no timely action is taken, the Gaddi shepherds could face significant losses, including the death of their cattle due to unseasonal snowfall and hunger in the higher reaches.

The MLA said every effort was being made to deliver food to the stranded shepherds and repair damaged bridges and mule paths.

The Gaddi shepherds, a traditional nomadic community, follow a seasonal migration pattern. In winters, they move across Una, Bilaspur, Kangra, Solan, Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts in search of grazing grounds. Come summer, they head to the high-altitude pastures of the Dhauladhar hills, Chhota and Bara Bhangal, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Chamba with their flocks.