An avalanche near the North Portal of the Atal Tunnel has blocked the Manali–Keylong road, stranding several taxis but fortunately causing no casualties.
Photo : PTI
An avalanche occurred at three different locations near the North Portal of the Atal Tunnel, resulting in the blockage of the Manali–Keylong road. Several taxis were stranded on the route, causing significant inconvenience to passengers and drivers. Fortunately, as the avalanche struck, the drivers managed to abandon their vehicles and escape in time, and no loss of life was reported. Personnel from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are engaged in efforts to retrieve the vehicles buried under the snow.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a fresh bulletin, forecasting light snowfall in the districts of Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul–Spiti, and Kinnaur.
A Defence Research and Development Organisation unit on Monday had issued an orange alert for avalanches in the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh, warning of dangerous snow conditions in several districts, reports The Times of India.
The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment said “Danger Level 3” avalanche conditions prevail in areas above 3,000 meters in Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu and Kinnaur districts.
Level 3 indicates a considerable avalanche risk, with deep and unstable snow on many slopes and the possibility of large avalanches. The advisory said airborne avalanches are also likely and urged local authorities to suspend movement on snow-loaded slopes and evacuate unprotected settlements.
The warning follows an avalanche on Jan. 28 in the remote Bharmour region of Chamba district, where two vehicles and three shops were swept away after a rivulet overflowed.
Meanwhile, most roads in Lahaul-Spiti remained closed due to heavy snowfall.
Earlier, as many as 655 roads, including three national highways still remain blocked for traffic in Himachal Pradesh as a result of the recent spell of heavy snowfall, affecting road connectivity at hundreds of places in the state.
