Uttarakhand's Bageshwar District Grapples with Severe Snowfall Disruption
Heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Uttarakhand since Friday evening has caused widespread chaos in Bageshwar district, severely disrupting road connectivity, electricity supply, and communication services. Thousands of residents are struggling amid freezing conditions as the district faces a near-total breakdown of essential infrastructure.
Transportation and Power Grid Crippled
Several passengers were stranded for hours on highways and interior roads as thick layers of snow accumulated overnight. The power supply, which was disrupted on Friday evening, remained affected till late Saturday night, plunging many villages into darkness for over 24 hours and cutting off communication networks completely.
District disaster management officer Shikha Suyal confirmed that restoration work is underway. "Teams have been deployed to clear roads and restore electricity. Relief and rescue teams are on alert, and efforts are being made to resume power supply at the earliest," she stated.
Worst-Hit Areas and Communication Blackout
Among the worst-hit areas were Shama, Kanda, Kausani, and Kapkot, where prolonged outages caused mobile phones to completely run out of charge. This left villagers unable to contact the administration or relatives, creating an information vacuum in remote regions.
Heightened Wildlife Threats in Rural Pockets
The situation has heightened fear in rural pockets already affected by wild animal movement. Residents reported that the absence of electricity increased the risk from wildlife, particularly leopards. Geeta Devi, a resident of Kanda, shared her concerns: "Leopard movement was frequently reported near my house. The power went out last evening and has still not been restored. We are extremely scared."
Road Blockages Hamper Restoration Efforts
Several rural roads remained blocked due to heavy snow accumulation, leaving many high-altitude villages cut off and hampering restoration efforts. Bharat Sah, who was travelling from Almora to Bageshwar, recounted his experience: "I was stranded for hours on the Bageshwar–Girichina motor road on Friday night. If this is the condition of a state highway located just a few kilometers from the district headquarters, one can only imagine the plight of remote areas."
Vulnerable Populations Bear the Brunt
Thousands of residents in and around Shama, Kausani, Kanda, and Kapkot are bearing the brunt of the disruption. Elderly people, children, and patients are facing increased hardship due to the lack of basic amenities and connectivity. Locals have urgently appealed to the administration to prioritize the restoration of electricity and the reopening of roads to alleviate their suffering.
The ongoing crisis underscores the vulnerability of Uttarakhand's hill districts to extreme weather events and highlights the need for robust disaster management infrastructure in remote areas.
