Kapkot, Bageshwar — monsoon rains have laid bare the practical challenges of road connectivity in the rugged villages of the Pindar Valley. In the Sorag village, a resident, Har Ram, suffered a severe fracture in the leg while performing domestic work. With the main road blocked by debris caused by rain, family members and villagers faced a difficult choice: move the injured on foot through a rough, debris-strewn route. They fashioned a litter using wood and cloth and transported Har Ram for about 11 kilometers to reach the road and get him to a hospital. Due to the downpour, the path remained hazardous, but the group carried on, finally arranging transport by private vehicle to the district hospital, where medical staff began treatment.
Villagers say the situation mirrors a broader pattern: despite promises of keeping routes open during the monsoon, roads become blocked as soon as rain starts, disrupting not just mobility but essential services like health, communication, and electricity. The village leader, Balwant Singh Danu, along with former leader Chandaram and several residents, called for a permanent ambulance for the hard-to-reach areas to ensure timely medical care for emergencies. They also noted ongoing landslides near the Sorag Bridge on the Ungia-Sorag road, with officials continuing road clearance efforts.
An official from the Prime Minister’s Rural Roads Scheme, Abhri sh Rawat, noted that efforts to clear the road are underway, but the weather complicates repairs and stabilization of debris-prone segments. The incident underscores the urgent need for durable emergency access in the highest-risk pockets of the Pindar Valley.
