Kullu: A series of landslides beneath the sinking Lindur village in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti district over the past two days has damaged a bridge on the crucial Sansari-Kilar-Thirot-Tandi (SKTT) road, severing connectivity between the tribal district and the neighbouring Pangi valley of Chamba district.
Landslides and Bridge Damage
Landslides began near Jahlma village on Monday, and the bridge was damaged late Tuesday night after a portion of the hillside collapsed. Officials reported that the bridge tilted slightly after its foundation suffered extensive damage.
Traffic Disruption and Tourist Stranded
The administration restricted traffic movement on the route from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday, leading to massive traffic jams and stranding hundreds of tourists. Lahaul-Spiti district administration officials, local MLA Anuradha Rana, and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams reached Jahlma on Wednesday morning.
Impact on Irrigation and Villages
The landslide also damaged an irrigation canal supplying water to nearby Phura village. Officials warned that the disruption could affect at least 15 panchayats in Udaipur sub-division and 25 panchayats in Pangi sub-division of Chamba district.
Villagers expressed concern that the roadblock could severely affect supplies of essential commodities and basic services in the region. Pritam Singh, a local resident, said, "This road is our region's lifeline. People living on the Udaipur side may face shortages of fuel, ration and medical services if connectivity is not restored soon. Local vegetable season is also set to begin next month, and we are hoping the bridge becomes operational again before then."
Previous Incidents and Land Subsidence
This is the second major incident involving the Jahlma bridge in recent years. In 2021, the bridge was swept away in a massive flood, cutting off the region from the rest of the district. Lindur village has been facing severe land subsidence since 2023, with more than 100 bighas of agricultural land turning uncultivable. Several houses in the village have also developed cracks due to the sinking terrain.
Restoration Efforts
Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Kiran Bhadana visited Jahlma nullah and directed BRO officials to restore connectivity at the earliest. She emphasised that restoring movement was a priority as panchayat elections were under way in the district. BRO officer commanding Major Paras stated that an alternative route for light vehicles was being prepared and could become operational by Thursday morning.
"The foundation of the bridge at the present site has become unstable. We have selected a new site around 25 metres away and will shift the bridge there. It may take up to one-and-a-half months for the new bridge to become operational," he said.
