Three wooden bridges on way to Bara Bhangal washed away

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, August 6

The Bara Bhangal valley of Kangra district has been cut off following the collapse of three wooden bridges.

Stretches of the mule path leading to the valley were washed away following heavy rain and flash floods in the past three days. Mules carrying sacks of grains have been stuck.

SDM, Baijnath, Salem Aazam told The Tribune here this evening that the mule path between Panahar and Placchak had washed away at many points. It could take time to restore the supply of foodgrains to the land-locked valley. Efforts were being made to reconstruct the bridge and restore the mule path as the Thamsar Pass, the highest peak on the way to the valley, was likely to be closed after a snowfall in September. “The supply has to be delivered before September,” the SDM said. Every year, foodgrains are sent to the Bara Bhangal valley through the 60-km mule path between June 15 and August 31. He said the grain was lying at Bara Gram and Multan as mules could not move further because of landslides and soil erosion at different places.

The carriage contractor said he had also informed the district authorities that the mule path leading to Bara Bhangal and a bridge on Hanny Khud had washed away and it would not be possible to move beyond Bara Gram village with mules.

Mansa Ram, panchayat pradhan, said if timely action was not taken, over 600 persons living in Bara Bhangal would have to starve in the coming months. He said he had apprised the Baijnath SDM of the situation.

600 may starve

If timely action is not taken, over 600 persons living in Bara Bhangal may starve. I have apprised the Baijnath SDM of the situation. — Mansa Ram, panchayat pradhan