Himachal Pradesh: Over 2,000 Sheep and Goats Feared Buried Under Snow
While crossing Rupin Pass, shepherds encountered sudden, heavy snowfall, preventing the livestock from moving forward and resulting in many animals getting buried in snow
Shimla: Over 2,000 sheep and goats are feared to be buried under snow in the Rupin Pass region situated between Sangla in Kinnaur and Dodra-Kwar in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh following heavy snowfall on September 26. Shepherds claimed that a large number of sheep and goats have been buried under snow. Initial estimates suggest approximately 2,000 animals are trapped. However, the actual extent of the loss will only be known once the snow melts and a complete headcount is conducted at the site, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Wednesday.
He said high-altitude areas of Kinnaur recently experienced heavy rain and snowfall. At that time, shepherds were migrating with their livestock from high-altitude regions for the winter. While crossing Rupin Pass, they encountered sudden, heavy snowfall, preventing the livestock from moving forward and resulting in many animals getting buried in snow.
Negi told mediapersons here that upon receiving news of the incident, he instructed the Dodra-Kwar sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) to constitute a rescue team. Subsequently, a team comprising local shepherds, home guards, police and revenue department personnel were assembled.
The team reached the summit of Rupin Pass on Wednesday and is maintaining contact with the administration via satellite phone. According to the minister, more than three feet of snow has accumulated at the site.
He said shepherds have reported that approximately 2,000 sheep and goats are buried under the snow. Currently, only the horns of some large animals are visible amid the snow, while the status of smaller animals, sheep and goats remains unknown.
The actual number of animals and the death toll will only become clear once the snow recedes, Negi said, adding that there have been no reports of human casualties in this incident.
Some shepherds returned when the snowfall began, but for those who had already crossed Rupin Pass, descending was not possible. Due to heavy snowfall, the animals also could not move forward and became stranded.
The rescue team is assessing the situation on the ground. The revenue minister stated that another team, comprising officials from relevant departments, would soon be dispatched to conduct a detailed assessment of livestock losses.
Once an accurate assessment of the losses is made, the process of providing relief to affected shepherds will begin. He added that the government would also endeavor to provide assistance through a special relief package to compensate for the losses.