Avalanche destroys army camp in Lahaul-Spiti

Shimla: In a chilling reminder to Kashmir's Bandipora incident that left 10 army jawans dead in 2017, a massive snow avalanche destroyed a Army's transit camp near Dalang in Lahaul-Spiti district, an incident that came to light on Sunday.

The army uses this place during the year but leave it after snowfall.

"There is no loss of life in the incident. The Army hade vacated the camp before the season's snowfall," said Deputy Commissioner, Lahual-Spiti Ashwani Chaudhary.

Officials said the transit camp was set-up by the army some years back to stock essential commodities transported from Manali to Leh.

Few years back, two Border Road Organisation (BRO) jawans lost their lives in a similar incident of avalanche in 2014.

This year Lahaul-Spiti has witnessed very heavy snowfall paralysing the life in the area, also resulting in series of avalanches and other damages being caused to the public and private properties.

Last year, heavy snowfall in Lahaul-Spiti resulted in major crisis as more than 2000 persons, mainly tourists were stranded in the area. Seven helicopters were pressed into service to airlift 252 tourists as other 2,509 were rescued by road through under construction Rohtang Tunnel.

In view of the MeT department forecaste about heavy snowfall in next 24 hours, the state government issued an advisory asking the people in districts of Chamba, Lahual-Spiti, Shimla, Kinnaur and Kullu.

The Snow and & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), Manali has already asked the state government to take precautions in view of the likelihood of the avalanches.

A spokesperson of the state government said on Tuesday the district administration/district disaster management authorities (DDMAs) have been advised to keep a close watch and monitor the situation in their areas regularly and take appropriate precautionary measures. They have been directed to keep search and rescue teams on standby and avoiding movement on slopes where avalanche warning has been issued.

The officials in the snow-bound districts have also been asked to convey bad weather warning to all grass-root functionaries and local residents, advising the tourists and local people not to venture in snow bound areas. All concerned departments have been asked to keep close watch on the National highways and other roads and making plans for evacuation of unprotected settlements on or near the avalanche paths said Additional Chief Secretary (Disaster management) Manisha Nanda.

There have also been reports about an avalanche in Kinnaur district resulting in disruption of the road mobility in the area.

The General Public has been advised to keep adequate stock of essential commodities and emergency medicines.