3 March 2024
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In the wake of relentless heavy snowfall and rain, Himachal Pradesh faces a transportation nightmare with over 650 roads, including crucial highways, shut down due to avalanches and landslides. Lahaul-Spiti district is on high alert as the Chenab river’s flow halts after an avalanche at Dara waterfall. Tragically, a house collapse in Jammu’s Riasi district claims the lives of a woman and three children amid intense rainfall.
The situation exacerbates as avalanches strike more than six times in Himachal Pradesh, leading to the closure of five national highways. Officials report avalanches near Karcham Helipad in Kinnaur district and damage to the Tandi bridge in Lahaul. The chaos extends to Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, closed for the second consecutive day, prompting NHAI officials to redouble efforts for restoration as weather conditions improve.
This onslaught of nature underscores the vulnerability of these regions to extreme weather events, prompting authorities to issue warnings and intensify rescue and recovery efforts. The residents grapple with the aftermath, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure resilience in the face of unpredictable climate patterns.