Shimla, Feb 28,
Delayed winter snowfall and heavy mixed precipitation have wreaked havoc in the tribal district of Kinnaur, cutting off the region from mainstream life for the first this winter. Most of the roads are either blocked by landslides, rolling boulders, and avalanches or buried under mounting snow, severely affecting connectivity and daily life.
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Reports arriving from the district confirm that restoration work is underway on a war footing to clear landslides, avalanches, and boulders obstructing key routes. According to Kinnaur Police, the Chaura to Samdo National Highway junction 5 is blocked at Tinku Nala due to an avalanche. Nathpa and Nigulsari sliding points remain closed due to continuous shooting stones, and the Tapri-Samdo stretch is inaccessible because of heavy snowfall.
Additionally, the Powari to Kalpa NH-505A, Karcham to Chitkul, Wangtoo to Kafnoo, and Bhabhanagar to Nichar roads are closed due to intense snowfall. The Kaksthal to Karcham road is obstructed by massive boulders, with JCBs deployed to clear the route.
The snowfall across the region has been significant: Pooh has recorded 30 cm of snow, Kafnoo is buried under two feet, Morang saw five inches, Ropa reported three feet, while Kalpa and Sangla received one and a half feet of snow each. Chitkul is blanketed under two feet of snowfall. In the district headquarters of Reckong Peo, administration efforts have managed to clear the snow-clogged roads, but Pooh remains covered in a thick layer of snow.
District administration has advised tourists to remain in their hotels until the weather clears, as overnight snowfall and recurring avalanches have disrupted normal life. Power and communication networks remain defunct in several areas.
Tinku Nala remains closed following a massive avalanche two hours ago, with restoration efforts ongoing. Jangi Nala is heavily blocked by a 400-meter-long avalanche train on NH-5, while the Pubani Jhula stretch on the same highway has also been affected. The Nathpa sliding point remains shut for all vehicles due to continuous rainfall and shooting stones.
Restoration work is in progress at Skibba, where large boulders have made the roads impassable. Moorang and Nigulsari sliding points are also closed due to frequent rockfalls and shooting stones.
The district administration averted a major mishap by timely issuing a weather advisory and shutting down all government and private educational institutions. Residents living in avalanche-prone areas have been warned to remain alert, as dozens of incidents of rockfalls and avalanches have already been reported.
As efforts continue to restore normalcy, the people of Kinnaur remain hopeful that connectivity and essential services will be reinstated soon, even as they brace for more challenges brought on by extreme winter weather.
