New Delhi: A sudden surge in glacier meltwater triggered a flash flood like situation in the Jhalma Nallah area of Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul Spiti district on Monday afternoon, damaging a crucial road stretch and leaving more than 50 tourist vehicles stranded in the remote mountain region.
The unexpected rise in water levels occurred despite clear weather conditions and the absence of rainfall in the area, pointing towards accelerated glacier melt as the primary cause of the incident. The powerful flow of water washed away a section of the road that serves as an important route connecting parts of the district, bringing traffic movement to a complete halt.
The disruption left dozens of tourists unable to continue their journey as vehicles remained stuck on either side of the damaged stretch. Authorities moved quickly to assess the situation and initiate restoration work to reopen the route as soon as possible.
Emergency repair operations were launched immediately, with teams working to rebuild the damaged section and restore connectivity. Efforts focused on ensuring that stranded travellers could be moved to safety once the road became passable again.
The response involved coordinated action from road maintenance teams and district authorities, who remained on site to monitor progress and manage the situation. Officials expressed confidence that the damaged road would be repaired quickly and access to the area would be restored without major delays.
No injuries or casualties have been reported in the incident so far. Authorities continue to monitor glacier fed streams in the region as a precaution against further sudden surges in water flow.
