Though Chamba district administration is working very hard to evacuate all pilgrims stuck at different places from Manimahesh but many of pilgrims are still facing hardships as trek from Manimahesh and road from Bharmaur to Chamba is still inaccessible due to heavy landslides after massive flash floods on August 24.
The flash floods had washed away many roads and communication link was also snapped.
Thousands of pilgrims on annual Manimahesh Yatra were struck at different places and ten pilgrims had lost lives since the flash floods.
A spokesman of Chamba district administration said, “More than four thousand pilgrims stranded in Bharmaur region have been evacuated to Chamba and have been given shelter at different places.”
Pilgrims returning back from Manimahesh Yatra had to walk long distances to return to Chamba and there are reports many people are still stranded.
Free community kitchens (langars) have also been set up at Kalsui, Dharwala, and Dakhog to serve meals to the devotees.
560 roads including National Highways (NH) no 3 remain blocked for vehicular traffic, 213 roads including NH-03 are closed.
Nearly 1500 tourist stranded in Manali, Lahual and Spiti have also been evacuated by Kullu district administration as Kullu – Manali road has been opened via Left Bank.
However, traffic on Mandi – Kiratpur National Highway is still erratic as frequent landslips are blocking the road and National Highway Authorities are working overtime to keep the road open for vehicular traffic.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu conducted an aerial survey of Bharmaur Ur, Manimahesh areas of Chamba district and Fatehpur and Mand area of Indora in Kangra district flooded after release of water from Pong Dam.
The CM said, “The loss of human lives was comparatively less to devastation occurred in the year 2023 but the scale of destruction is much higher this time as roads, electricity and water supply and the communication services have surfed massive losses.”
He said , “ The state Government is vigorously working to restore road connectivity as heavy machines JCBs etc have been deployed in Chamba district and efforts are on to restore road connectivity, recue stranded pilgrims and provide relief .”
The CM said, “The rehabilitation of affected people is a challenge before the State Government, but with the support of the people of the State, we will overcome it courageously as it is our responsibility to rehabilitate the families who have been rendered homeless, lost all means of livelihood and we will offer special relief package to support them.”
