Avalanche killed at least 38 yaks in Himachal Pradesh. Snowfall remains persistent in Himachal Pradesh this time of the year leading to avalanches that affect lives in this Himalayan States. Yaks are domesticated and owned by residents of tribal district Kinnaur.
Very heavy snowfall has cut the Kinnaur districts off from rest of the areas of the state. The blockage due to snowfall has also left tourist stuck in the valley. At least five people were reported killed by an Avalanche during last week bads weather. Yaks are one of the major attractions during winter in Himachal Pradesh as people often come to Kinnaur to take joyride on Yaks. Himachal Pradesh tourist spots such as Kullu, Manali, Kinnaur are famous for snowfall citing.
Domesticated yaks have been kept for thousands of years, primarily for their milk, fibre and meat, and as beasts of burden. Their dried droppings are an important fuel used all over Tibet and is often the only fuel available on the high treeless Tibetan Plateau. Yaks transport goods across mountain passes for local farmers and traders as well as for climbing and trekking expeditions.
Kinnaur is likely to remain cut off from the capital, as clearing the snow will take a week from the national highway leading to Shimla. Places other than the town Shimla remain shadowed in the dark as power cables and poles have been uprooted in many places. The minimum temperature used to come down to -20ºC during winter in Himachal Pradesh.
Current weather conditions and forecast of Kinnaur for the next 7 days does not give any hope for reversal in its weather. The minimum temperatures will remain sub-zero while the maximum will be around 6 degrees. Snowfall has stopped for next two days but it will again occur on 29th January.
Photograph by bdearth
