Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh over the past 24 hours triggered a massive landslide, isolating Pangi Valley from the rest of the state. The landslide occurred along the Sansari–Kullu–Manali road, situated at the border of Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti districts, causing extensive road damage.
The landslide destroyed nearly a 60-metre stretch of road, leaving the valley completely inaccessible. According to reports, around 40 to 50 individuals in private vehicles and taxis found themselves stranded at Sugalwas and Kadu Nullah. These travelers had to endure the night under freezing temperatures.
Eyewitness accounts revealed the severity of the incident. One resident stated, “The entire hillside collapsed. There is no trace of the road remaining. Movement is impossible even on foot.”
In the wake of the disaster, local authorities took immediate action to transfer stranded individuals to safer areas.
The Border Roads Organisation has commenced operations focused on reopening the road to restore connectivity to Pangi Valley. They aim to mitigate the situation and facilitate smoother travel in the region.
The Meteorological Department has also issued critical weather alerts for the area. An Orange Alert warns of potential hailstorms, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds of up to 60 kilometers per hour in districts such as Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Solan. A Yellow Alert follows for similar conditions anticipated in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, and Sirmaur.
These adverse weather conditions are set to persist, with a prolonged wet spell forecast until April 13. This has raised significant concerns regarding crop damage across the state.
Widespread rainfall recorded throughout Himachal Pradesh revealed Sarahan as the hardest hit, with a staggering 38.5 mm recorded. There are also reports of hailstorms damaging crops in parts of Shimla district. Snowfall is likely to occur in higher elevations, adding to the region’s woes.
As the cold conditions intensified, towns like Kalpa and Kukumseri recorded temperatures dropping to lows of 0.4°C. Daytime temperatures hovered 3 to 9 degrees Celsius below normal across various areas, stressing the significance of weather preparedness.
The weather challenges are primarily linked to a Western Disturbance affecting the region. Experts forecast another system expected to impact Himachal Pradesh starting April 11.
In light of these alarming developments, authorities have advised residents and travelers to exercise caution. They recommend avoiding landslide-prone routes and strictly following official weather advisories to ensure safety.
