Himachal: Chaura landslide blocks NH-5, cuts off Kinnaur from Shimla
Frequent landslides on this road in an ecologically fragile area have become a bane for local people and fruit producers, especially apple-growers
The tribal district of Kinnaur was cut off from Himachal Pradesh's capital Shimla following a massive landslide on the Hindustan-Tibet Road (National Highway 5) at Chaura, officials said on Saturday (October 7).
Huge boulders and other debris came down sliding on the road near the natural tunnel at the entry of the Kinnaur district on Friday night, hindering even pedestrian movement.
With the apple season not yet over in the higher hills, a large number of vehicles, including trucks, is stranded on either side of the blockade.
Officials said on Saturday that restoration work was underway full swing and boulders were being removed. Heavy machinery has been deployed to drill the hard rock and carve a passage for stranded vehicles.
Earlier also, NH-5 was blocked near Nugalsari, a few kilometres before of Chaura, following a massive landslide on the night of September 7. It took almost 10 days for the road to be opened for traffic.
Frequent landslides on this road in an ecologically fragile area have become a bane for local people and fruit producers, especially apple-growers, who say they want a lasting solution.
Kinnaur is famous for high-quality juicy apples, and transportation from the lower belts of Kinnaur starts in August, while apples from higher reaches continue to arrive in the markets till November-end. Apple production has declined this year due to the vagaries of weather.
About 30 lakh boxes are expected in Kinnaur this year compared to about 40-42 lakh boxes last year, Deputy Director Horticulture (Kinnaur) Ajay Kumar Dhiman said.
(With agency inputs)