A major landslide triggered by heavy rain damaged the Chowari-Bharari road in Chamba district on Saturday morning. A passing vehicle was caught in the landslide debris, though its occupants narrowly escaped a fatal accident.
How the landslide happened on the Chowari-Bharari road
The landslide occurred around 8 am when a large volume of rocks and debris suddenly came crashing down from the hillside onto the road. The impact was so severe that a significant portion of the road collapsed into the adjoining gorge, leaving the vehicle stranded in the debris.
According to The Tribune, the incident brought traffic on the route to a complete halt, resulting in long queues of vehicles on both sides and causing major inconvenience to commuters, particularly those travelling for urgent work.
Authorities respond to the landslide in Chamba
On receiving information about the incident, the Public Works Department (PWD) rushed teams to the site. The department is working to clear the debris and restore traffic on the damaged road.
As reported by Punjab Newsline, the road crumbled after the massive landslide, and the vehicle remained trapped in the debris as rescue operations began.
Our Take: Landslides highlight infrastructure vulnerability in Himachal
This incident is a stark reminder of how vulnerable mountain roads are during the monsoon season. The fact that the occupants escaped unhurt is fortunate, but the damage to the road will disrupt daily life for residents in the area. In our view, the PWD must prioritize not just clearing the debris but also reinforcing the hillside to prevent future landslides. Commuters should check road conditions before travelling on this route until full restoration is complete.