Over 500 villages in HP snowed under
SHIMLA: More than 500 revenue villages in Lahaul-Spiti district are without power and water supply for the last 10 days after the worst September snowfall in nearly six decades wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh’s picturesque tribal region.
Untimely snowfall caught people and administration off-guard and damaged 33 kilowatt electricity supply line from Thirot power station to Karga, leaving 521 villages and district headquarters Keylong in dark.
Worse, the electricity board is facing a shortage of staff.
“It will take at least another five to six days to restore power supply to Keylong,” sub divisional magistrate of Keylong, Amar Singh Negi, said. “Considering the staff shortage at the electricity board, the LahaulSpiti district administration has sought assistance from the IndoTibetan Border Police (ITBP) for restoration of electricity lines across the region,” he said. The administration has also requisitioned help from Himachal home guards.
“A power line connecting Keylong to Kullu has also been damaged due to snowfall on the other side of the Rohtang Pass,” assistant engineer with Lahaul-Spiti electricity board, Prem Chand, said. “I have been instructed not to divulge further details. All I can say is that damage is immense,” he added. Lack of electricity has affected functioning in government offices.
“We have been directed to prepare the damage report as soon as possible but we cannot do anything since power failure has also hit communication system in the area,” a revenue official said requesting anonymity. People in the region are using oil wick lamps to light up their houses.
Food and civil supplies department has apprised district administration that they will run out of fuel shortly. “Fuel stocks are falling as demand for kerosene has increased after snow snapped power lines,” an official of food department said.