Heavy rainfall and subsequent landslides have severely disrupted the Manimahesh Yatra in Himachal Pradesh, leaving thousands of pilgrims stranded in the Chamba district. The inclement weather, which has persisted for over a week, has damaged roads and snapped mobile connectivity, causing distress among worried relatives.
Extent of the Disruption
The Manimahesh Yatra, an annual pilgrimage that began on August 17 and is scheduled to conclude on September 15, has been significantly impacted. Pilgrims are stuck in various locations including Chamba, Bharmaur, and Saloni due to roads damaged by the heavy rains and flash floods. Chamba MLA Neeraj Nayyar and Churah MLA Hans Raj estimate that around 10,000 pilgrims are affected.
Rescue and Relief Efforts
The state government has initiated efforts to evacuate the stranded pilgrims and restore normalcy in the affected areas. Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena stated that all individuals stranded on the Manimahesh track have been evacuated, and relief and restoration works are proceeding rapidly. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has rescued 3,269 pilgrims from flash flood zones in Chamba. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi assured that safely evacuating the pilgrims and restoring mobile services in Chamba are the government's top priorities. The Himachal Pradesh Assembly also addressed the situation, with discussions focusing on rescue operations and restoring connectivity.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite the ongoing rescue efforts, challenges persist. Mobile connectivity has been disrupted in most of the Chamba district, leaving relatives and friends of the pilgrims anxious about their safety. Bharmour MLA Janak Raj highlighted the communication breakdown and appealed for military assistance, including helicopter evacuations. He also warned that essential supplies, such as cooking gas for community kitchens, are dwindling.
Road Closures and Infrastructure Damage
The heavy rains have caused widespread damage to infrastructure, with numerous roads blocked due to landslides. As of Wednesday, 584 roads were closed in ten of Himachal Pradesh's twelve districts. Mandi district is particularly affected, with 259 road closures, followed by Kullu. The Chamba-Bharmour-Hadsar route, a common path to Manimahesh Lake, is among those disrupted. The Pathankot–Chamba National Highway is also blocked, leaving over 100 vehicles stranded. The disruption extends to essential services, with hundreds of power supply transformers and water supply schemes affected.
Weather Forecast and Precautions
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for continued rainfall in the region. The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in Chamba has suspended the Manimahesh Yatra due to the high risks associated with the weather conditions. Authorities have been instructed to ensure safe shelter, food, drinking water, and medical aid for pilgrims already en route. Pilgrims and local communities are urged to cooperate with authorities and adhere to safety instructions.
