Villagers in Mandi Undertake Harrowing 7km Snow Rescue for Elderly Patient
In a scene reminiscent of bygone eras, residents of Challai village in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, were forced to resort to traditional methods to save a life. With a crucial link road buried under three feet of snow, a group of young men constructed a makeshift palanquin chair and carried a 75-year-old patient on their shoulders for seven kilometers through treacherous, hilly terrain.
A Desperate Night and an Ingenious Solution
The crisis began on Wednesday night when Shiv Lal, a 75-year-old resident of Challai village, saw his health deteriorate rapidly due to age-related complications. His nephew, Farmesh Rajput, who anchors the family's care for the unmarried elder, described the agonizing decision-making process. "He is not married and we look after him. On Wednesday night, his condition worsened. We initially hoped to wait for the snow-laden road to be cleared, but it became clear he needed urgent medical attention," Farmesh recounted.
Faced with no other options, the villagers decided to emulate their forefathers. They took a simple chair, tied two wooden logs to its sides to create a basic palanquin, and securely fastened Shiv Lal to it to prevent any slips. At approximately 9 AM on Thursday, the arduous journey began.
A Grueling Trek Through Deep Snow
The team waded through snow up to three feet deep, navigating the challenging hills for about four hours. They covered a distance of seven kilometers, reaching Gada Bushani around 1 PM. From there, Shiv Lal was transported via private vehicle to the Government Hospital in Kullu. Due to the severity of his condition, he was later referred to the Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla on Thursday night, where he remains under oxygen support in stable condition.
Farmesh emphasized the necessity of their actions: "We did what our grandfathers did when there were no proper roads. There was no other way."
Systemic Failures and a Recurring Crisis
This incident is not isolated. It marks the second time in a week that residents of Himachal Pradesh have been forced to carry patients over long distances due to inaccessible roads. On January 30, in Chamba district, a father carried his 14-year-old son, suffering from chickenpox, for nearly 20 kilometers to reach a hospital in Killar.
Both Mandi and Chamba were severely impacted by heavy snowfall between January 23 and 26, which disrupted road connectivity extensively. Former pradhan Luxmi Chand noted that while main district roads have been cleared by the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD), many vital link roads remain blocked. "Road connectivity remained completely disrupted for many days. I advised them not to waste time and to bring him down on foot through the snow," Chand stated regarding Shiv Lal's case.
Villagers revealed that the actual blocked link road between Challai and Bada Bushani stretches 15 to 18 kilometers. The rescue team utilized a shorter, off-road path to reach the main artery.
Official Response and Ongoing Challenges
Balichowki Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vichitar Singh acknowledged the incident, confirming that most district roads are now clear. However, he explained the difficulties in clearing the link road to Challai. "We tried to use snow-cutter vehicles, but they were ineffective in the hilly terrain. We have now deployed JCB machines, and it will take approximately two more days to complete the snow-clearing work," Singh said.
This event starkly underscores the persistent challenges of healthcare access and infrastructure maintenance in Himachal Pradesh's remote, high-altitude regions, especially during extreme weather events.
