MANALI: Heavy snowfall has led to collapse and damage of several houses in Solang village of Manali. With further landslides predicted, several houses have been vacated and more are on the verge of collapse.Solang village has received over 20ft of snow since December and is still covered with over 4 feet snow. The melting of the snow has led to landslides which is situated on the edge of the mountain, about 1,000ft above the valley. The village has around 50 houses and has witnessed massive avalanche after almost three decades. The frequent avalanches have led to huge cracks near the houses. Solang village was destroyed in fire in 2008 at that time the government had assured villagers of road connectivity and a motorable bridge. A bridge has been announced to be built on Solang rivulet nearly a decade back and its work had started two years back but is still incomplete. People risk their lives by crossing the river above temporary built unstable bridge-.Even boycotting of elections have not worked for the villagers and it continues to remain ignored.Manali sub-divisional magistrate Ashwani Kumar said that the revenue department was assessing the damages and administration would take all possible steps to ensure safety of people and minimise the damages.Solang and Kothi, the last villages of Kullu district towards Rohtang pass, have received over 20ft of snow since December and are still covered with snow. With no road connectivity, Kothi residents had to stay indoors for many days in January and February. The first floors of the houses are still buried below the snow. At some houses, snow is still in the balconies and terraces. .``We continue to live in the fear of avalanche hitting the roads near our houses,this fear has resulted in most of teh villagers facing sleepless nights,’’ a resident Roshan Lal said.

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