Lahaul-Spiti district reels under darkness after heavy snow

Dipender Manta

Mandi, March 5

The residents of Lahaul and Spiti district continue to suffer as power supply has been disrupted after heavy snowfall. Entire Lahaul and Spiti district is reeling under darkness for the last four days because the heavy snow has damaged power structure in the district.

Due to heavy snow, many villagers were facing difficulty in fetching water from nearby water sources for use in kitchen. In a video on social media, the residents of Yoche village were seen struggling to make a path amid heavy snow to reach a nearby source to fetch water for domestic use.

The BRO has started snow-clearing operation on the Manali-Leh highway and within the district in Lahaul and Spiti though no road connectivity has been ensured so far. Today, avalanches occurred at multiple locations in the district. At a few places, poly houses of farmers were damaged though no loss of life was reported.

Sonam Targay, president of Home Stay Association, Kaza, said that “I am receiving calls from the relatives of the tourists stranded at Kaza for the last two days. There is failure of communication at Kaza for the last four days. Roads are blocked and power supply is disrupted, which has aggravated the situation.”

“I want to inform the relatives of the stranded tourists that they are safe at Kaza and staying in hotels and homestays in Spiti valley. As soon as transportation, power supply and communication services are restored in Spiti valley, they will be able to contact their families,” he said.

Anuradha Rana, chairperson of Zila Parishad Lahaul and Spiti, said, “One person was injured in Goharma panchayat today. District administration of Lahaul and Spiti, Chief Medical Officer, district hospital, Keylong, and officials of Border Roads Organisation were contacted in this regard. Due to heavy snow on the ground and avalanches, roads are blocked in the district. I have urged the district administration and the state government to airlift the patient for better treatment. The patient is stable,” according to his family members.

Deputy Commissioner Lahaul and Spiti Rahul Kumar said that a chopper had been demanded from the state government to airlift the patient from Lahaul to Kullu hospital for medical aid.

He said the BRO had started snow-clearing work in the district and it is expected that some internal roads of the district will be restored to traffic by tomorrow. The HP State Electricity Board is also working to restore power supply. Due to disruption in power supply, communication services have been affected in the district.

No power for 4 days

• Entire district is without power for the last four days
• Villagers are facing difficulty in fetching water from nearby water sources for use in kitchen
• Avalanches occurred at multiple locations in the district. A few places poly houses of farmers were damaged
• The BRO had started snow-clearing work in the district and it is expected that some internal roads of the district will be restored to traffic by Wednesday