Continuous heavy landslides are occurring from the Darki hill, situated near the Jahalma stream in the Lahaul Valley. As a result, the Sansari-Tindi-Tandi road route has been completely shut down.
The Jahalma bridge also faces an imminent threat. For the past two days, large boulders and debris have been continuously tumbling down from the hillside, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the road.
The persistent landslides near the Jahalma stream have posed a significant challenge for both the local administration and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Concerns regarding potential damage to the bridge have heightened due to stones falling from the hill situated directly above it. Prioritising safety, the administration has closed the entire route to all types of vehicular traffic.
The road closure has had the most severe impact on cargo and passenger vehicles heading towards Pangi, Tindi, and Udaipur. Long queues of heavy vehicles have formed at both ends of the road. Many truck drivers have been stranded for over 24 hours, anxiously awaiting the reopening of the route.
Lahaul-Spiti Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana and the Sub-Divisional Officer visited the site to assess the situation. They inspected the area and issued directives to Border Roads Organisation officials to restore the road immediately.
BRO teams are working rapidly to clear the debris and open an alternative route. The administration has stated that the route for light vehicles will be restored shortly; however, operations are being hampered by the continuous falling of stones at the site.
Local residents and travellers have urged the administration to immediately restore safe passage. Many travellers are risking their lives by crossing the Jahalma stream on foot.
Satish Kumar, a stranded traveller, recounted, “We were transporting cement. We reached this spot after travelling all day. This morning, stones fell from the hillside, blocking the road. The situation is particularly difficult for heavy vehicles.
The administration has assured us that we might see some relief by tomorrow evening, but nothing is certain yet.” Another traveller stated, “The bridge is at risk of being damaged. We are stranded amidst the forests. Food and water supplies are also running low. The administration has informed us that smaller vehicles may be evacuated by tomorrow evening, whereas it could take 10 to 15 days for larger vehicles.”
Currently, the Jahalma Bridge and the surrounding area remain entirely within the danger zone. The BRO and the district administration are maintaining constant vigilance.
If the landslide subsides, there are plans to reopen the road in a phased manner. The high-altitude roads of Lahaul-Spiti, combined with adverse weather conditions, frequently give rise to such incidents.
