SUNITA NEGI
The North News
Kullu, March 4
Relentless rainfall has battered Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh for the past week, leading to widespread destruction. The downpour has severely damaged local, state, and national highways, making travel difficult for residents. Fruit and vegetable crops have also been devastated, adding to the woes of the local community. Businesses have suffered heavy losses, with the hotel industry hit particularly hard. Hoteliers say the adverse weather has led to a sharp drop in tourist numbers.
The continuous rainfall in Khokhan village has left residents in dire straits. Local resident Saveer Thakur said the overflowing Khokhan stream caused extensive damage to the area. “All the pomegranate and apple trees planted by villagers have been washed away. The main roads are completely damaged, leaving no path for pedestrians. Even the water pipelines are broken, causing severe water shortages,” Thakur said.
Residents are struggling to cope with the crisis and have yet to receive any government assistance. They are hoping for immediate relief to overcome this challenging situation. Manali taxi driver Labh Singh described how the recent snowfall increased the number of tourists, but the harsh weather led to road closures, including to Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel. “Today, the weather is bad, with snowfall in higher regions. Tourists are advised to stay safe,” Singh added.
Kamal Palsara, a hotel owner in Kullu, said the continuous rain led to a significant drop in tourists and cause heavy losses. Ankit, a local resident of Kharal Valley, recounted how recent landslides wreaked havoc on farms. “Farmers had planted peas and other vegetables, all of which are now destroyed. Some pomegranate and apple trees were also lost to landslides, leading to further hardship for farmers,” he said.
