Sinking Himalayan village now threatens key road connectivity

Kullu: A series of landslides right beneath the sinking Lindur village in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti district over the past two days has damaged a bridge on the crucial Sansari-Kilar-Thirot-Tandi (SKTT) road, cutting off connectivity between the tribal district and the neighbouring Pangi valley of Chamba district.Landslides began near Jahlma village on Monday and the bridge was damaged late Tuesday night after a portion of the hillside came crashing down. Officials said the bridge tilted slightly after its foundation suffered extensive damage.The administration restricted traffic movement on the route from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday, triggering huge traffic jams and stranding hundreds of tourists. Lahaul-Spiti district administration officials, local MLA Anuradha Rana and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams reached Jahlma on Wednesday morning.The landslide also damaged an irrigation canal supplying water to nearby Phura village. Officials said the disruption could affect at least 15 panchayats in Udaipur sub-division and 25 panchayats in Pangi sub-division of Chamba district.Villagers said the roadblock could severely affect supplies of essential commodities and basic services in the region."This road is our region's lifeline. People living on the Udaipur side may face shortages of fuel, ration and medical services if connectivity is not restored soon. Local vegetable season is also set to begin next month, and we are hoping the bridge becomes operational again before then," said Pritam Singh.This is the second major incident involving the Jahlma bridge in recent years. In 2021, the bridge was swept away in a massive flood, cutting off the region from the rest of the district.Lindur village has been facing severe land subsidence since 2023, with more than 100 bighas of agricultural land turning uncultivable. Several houses in the village have also developed cracks due to the sinking terrain.Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Kiran Bhadana visited Jahlma nullah and directed BRO officials to restore connectivity at the earliest. She said restoring movement was a priority as panchayat elections were under way in the district.BRO officer commanding Major Paras said an alternative route for light vehicles was being prepared and could become operational by Thursday morning."The foundation of the bridge at the present site has become unstable. We have selected a new site around 25 metres away and will shift the bridge there. It may take up to one-and-a-half months for the new bridge to become operational," he said.