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Teen Carried 33km Through Snow for Medical Help in Himachal's Pangi Valley

Heavy snowfall has paralyzed life in Himachal Pradesh's remote Pangi Valley, with snow accumulation reaching three to four feet. A 14-year-old boy suffering from a severe infection had to be carried on a stretcher for 33 kilometers through deep snow to reach Killar Hospital. The incident underscores the extreme challenges residents face in accessing medical care and essential services during winter. Local MLA Dr Jank Raj acknowledged the immense difficulties caused by the snowfall, which has severely damaged infrastructure.

Key Points: Himachal Snowfall: Boy Carried 33km to Hospital in Pangi Valley

  • Teen carried 33km on foot through snow
  • Roads blocked by 3-4 feet of snow
  • Severe disruption to essential services
  • Highlights remote healthcare crisis
2 min read

Himachal Pradesh: Heavy snowfall paralyses life in Pangi Valley; teen boy carried 33 km to hospital

A 14-year-old boy was carried 33km through 4-foot snow in Himachal's Pangi Valley due to blocked roads, highlighting severe healthcare access issues.

"Snowfall has brought hope to farmers, but at the same time it has caused immense difficulties. - Dr Jank Raj"

Chamba, January 30

Life has come to a standstill in the remote Pangi valley of Bharmaur Assembly constituency in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh following heavy snowfall, with snow accumulation ranging between three and four feet. The snowfall has severely disrupted essential services, including healthcare.

The extreme conditions have forced residents to carry patients on their backs for several kilometres to reach medical facilities. In an incident from Shun village, a 14-year-old boy was carried on people's shoulders through deep snow to Killar Hospital, highlighting the grim situation in the region.

According to locals, 14-year-old Sahil, son of Bhupender, was suffering from chickenpox, which led to a severe infection in his mouth. For the past two to three days, he had been unable to eat or drink anything, and his condition was deteriorating rapidly, needing immediate medical attention.

The total distance from Shun village to Killar Hospital is around 40 kilometres. Due to snow-covered roads, the patient was carried on a stretcher for nearly 33 kilometres through snow up to 4 feet deep, and the remaining 7 kilometres were covered by a vehicle to the point where motorable access was available. Beyond that, the road was completely blocked by snow, forcing villagers to continue on foot.

After a risky and physically exhausting journey, the boy was safely admitted to Killar Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. A video of the incident has also surfaced, reflecting the harsh realities faced by residents of the snowbound valley.

Reacting to the situation, Bharmaur MLA Dr Jank Raj said, "Snowfall has brought hope to farmers, but at the same time it has caused immense difficulties. Roads, water supply and power infrastructure have been badly affected, and people are suffering due to disrupted essential services."

The incident has highlighted the challenges residents face during the winter months, raising serious concerns about accessibility, road connectivity, and timely medical response in one of Himachal Pradesh's most inaccessible regions.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who has visited Himachal, the beauty is breathtaking but the infrastructure gaps are real. My heart goes out to the boy and the villagers who carried him. This isn't just about snowfall; it's about decades of neglect in connectivity. Hope the MLA's words translate into permanent solutions like all-weather roads or at least well-equipped primary health centres in these valleys.
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Priya S
Salute to the spirit of those villagers! Carrying a patient for that distance in such conditions shows incredible community strength. But it also shows a systemic failure. We have drones delivering food in cities, but we can't ensure medical access in our own mountains? Time to prioritize.
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Aman W
While I agree infrastructure is needed, let's also be practical. Maintaining all-weather roads in such extreme terrain is enormously challenging and expensive. Maybe the focus should be on robust winter stockpiling of essentials in each village and training local health volunteers. A multi-pronged approach is better than just blaming authorities.
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Kavya N
This is the real India that many don't see. While we debate politics in cities, our fellow citizens are fighting for basic survival. Thank God the boy is safe. Hope this incident wakes up the administration. They need pre-winter action plans, not post-snowfall statements. 🏔️
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Michael C
The community effort here is truly inspiring. It reminds us what humanity is about. However, it's 2024. Technology exists for telemedicine consultations and emergency coordination. Why can't we implement these solutions in remote areas to at least provide initial guidance and reduce such perilous journeys?

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