Flash floods in Kinnaur, Spiti

got this link from TheIndiaTree

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060804/main1.htm

Thanks for the information. I am planing a bike trip to spiti from 5th Sep.Hope roads will be repaired by then .

deforestation, uncontrolled construction... hillsides getting washed away.. thats what happening to part of himachal now.

i used to go there 40 years ago; almost cant recognise the place now.. where are the trees??

and high rise (well, kind of) buildings? in the hills? crazy

following is a old news. (july 25 )
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060726/main3.htm

Hi,
This is so true, Shimla has so much concrete now .
But for Kinnaur and Spiti, i remember the area to be more like a cold desert - hardly any rains and no trees. ppl used to say that if it rains, it will wash away all the high mountains of kinnaur (sangla is diff ). With some wheather changes and some govt forestation efforts (even though those aren't a major succeess) - the area is experiencing rains - that too heavy sometimes. Dunno where it will all lead to.

When I went to spiti in 2002 I did see a government run project called ‘ cold desert reforestation project’ and it has produced some patches of greenery in this other wise barren land. Hope I will see a difference when I visit spiti again this September.

i totally agree. You dont see the greenery till you really go higher and further in HP. Total degradation.

The roads where still in a bad shape and there were multiple blocks in the entire region when I visited between 9th to 15th August. The blocks were at

- Sangla. The road to Chitkul is blocked at two places
- Just after Recong Peo on the way to Khab - huge landslide. The road has to be crossed by walking over.
- Tabo. The road to Kaza is blocked due to washing away of the Tabo bridge.

Hi agmenon,

Thanx for the update. This is going to help me as i am leaving for that area after 2 weeks.

hi agmenon !!!!!!!

Thanks for the info.Hvae u noticed any effort to fix those road blocks? I think i should change my plan and enter spiti through kunzum pass.Hope the road is clear on that side !!!!!

That's "development" for you! Ick....
Thanks for the update. Freak weather for the area at this time, eh....

Hi,

There has been efforts to fix these. The block just after Recong Peo got cleared today - our driver got thru with the vehicle after being stuck there for 5 days - we had come back earlier using public transport.

The work on Tabo bridge was progressing well. As mentioned by someone else in a different thread - it is possible to cross using "jhulas".

Malling seems to be perpetual problem. I think you should try to enter through kunzum.

Regards,
Arun.

is there any scope of taking the bike through the damaged bridge at tabo ?

No as on 12th August. However do check the latest status - the flow of water can be less in Sept/Oct and the bridge may get completed as well.

i am leaving for HP on 27th aug. Good that I avoided Tabo - kaza to travel Sangla from Manali due to the reason that my wife may not be able to withstand the heights.

I am travelling from Chandigarh - Dharmshala - Manali - shoja - Sangla - thanedar - sarahan - chandigarh , on a customised tour with Banjaracamps.

any updates on roads / weather , info on any good scenic places will be most welcome.

TIA

regards