Over 25 labourers working on BSNL towers and an Army post in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district were stranded on Thursday due to severe snowfall and rock slides. The workers were stuck near Lal Dhak when a large rock slid onto their return route at Dumti, about 25 km from Chitkul.
The labourers, employed in erecting BSNL towers at Nagdum and Dharnithal and constructing an Army post at Nagdum, had started heading back as heavy snowfall and cold conditions worsened. However, their path was blocked by the rock slide.
Gobind Ram, an accountant with contractor Norbu Chhorian, confirmed that the labourers were trapped because the road at Dumti was obstructed. He added that heavy machinery has been sent to the site, and the road will be cleared once the snowfall subsides.
The local meteorological office has issued warnings of moderate flash flood risks in Shimla, Kinnaur, and Sirmaur districts until Friday. Additionally, a yellow alert has been issued for heavy rains, thunderstorms, and lightning in isolated areas of five out of twelve districts for Thursday and Friday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts heavy rains in Kinnaur, Mandi, Sirmaur, Solan, and Shimla districts, with potential damage to crops, plantations, and vulnerable structures.
Rainfall varied across the state, with Dharamshala receiving the most at 41 mm, followed by Dhaulakuan at 26 mm and Kalpa at 19.3 mm. Overall, 34 roads are closed, and 24 power schemes are disrupted.
Since the monsoon began on June 27, Himachal Pradesh has experienced a 21% rainfall deficit. There have been 165 rain-related deaths and 30 people remain missing, with damages estimated at ₹1,323 crore.
On Thursday, Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest at 6.7°C, while Kangra was the hottest at 34.6°C.