Grain scarcity in snowbound area
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 11 — The tribal areas around Yangthang in Kinnaur district are facing a shortage of foodgrain and other essential commodities after having remained cut off from rest of the country for 27 days now.

Many villages in the area are without adequate stocks of rice, sugar and edible oils.

The area was cut off due to landslides and early snow on October 16. Delayed reports say that three persons, including a woman, were killed due to snow.

Porters have been engaged to carry foodgrain to the area, but this might not be enough.

About 26 km of road between Yangthang and Chango is blocked with massive landslides. The authorities were unable to restore the road link because only one bulldozer was deployed for clearing the landslides.

The Malling nullah towards Kaza was also blocked with landslides.

It is expected that the road upto Chango, 12 km from Yangthang, might be cleared by Sunday next.

Residents of the area have been accusing the state government of not taking serious steps to mitigate their difficulties. Congress party activists in the district sat on dharna, demanding immediate steps to normalise the situation in the Yangthang area.