Heavy snowfall in the high altitude regions of Uttarakhand this year has caused damage to some hotel buildings at Ghangaria, an important stop on the Hemkund pilgrimage in Chamoli district. Some hotel buildings here are buried under glacier so the extent of the damage is not fully known yet. The routes in this area have also been damaged at various stretches. The damage was discovered when some people from Pulna village went to Ghangaria to inspect their hotels.
The villagers of Pulna who visited Ghangaria said heavy snowfall in the area this year had caused considerable damage to some hotel buildings. The area is still covered in upto six-feet deep snow, they inform. The locals add that effects of heavy snowfall may also have a negative impact on the pilgrimage this year if necessary measures are not taken on time. The paths above Bhyundar have been damaged at various locations while power lines in the area have also sustained damage with trees also falling in various locations.
The portions of some hotel and restaurant buildings have been crushed by a glacier at Ghangaria which has also made it difficult to ascertain the extent of damage at present.With snowfall still continuing in this high altitude region, locals fear the possibility of considerable damage in the coming days if clear sunny skies are not experienced soon in the high altitude areas. The authorities may have to work hard to clear and repair the route to Hemkund before the portals are reopened for pilgrims.