Truck escapes narrowly as small bridge collapses at Shinku La Pass

Shimla: A small bridge at the high-altitude Shinku La Pass in Himachal Pradesh collapsed suddenly while a truck was crossing, triggering concerns over travel safety in snowbound regions.

According to visuals shared on social media by an Instagram user identified as vlogger_deepak95, the incident occurred as the truck attempted to pass over a narrow bridge. The structure gave way abruptly, causing part of the vehicle to sink as the rear section got stuck in the debris. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported.

Another video clip circulating online, reportedly linked to a travel page, shows a similar दृश्य where the truck is seen moving cautiously amid heavy snowfall before the bridge collapses mid-crossing. The incident has led to a complete halt of vehicular movement on both sides of the route.

The disruption has effectively cut off connectivity between Padum and Darcha, a crucial stretch for travellers exploring remote parts of Himachal Pradesh. Tourists planning return journeys through this route have been advised to wait until authorities carry out repair work and restore access.

Officials and local sources indicate that such incidents are not uncommon in the region, especially during periods of intense snowfall. Temporary or small bridges in high-altitude zones remain vulnerable due to extreme weather conditions and structural stress caused by snow accumulation.

A similar situation was witnessed in March near the Atal Tunnel, where heavy snowfall stranded over a thousand vehicles, highlighting the recurring risks faced by travellers in the region.

Authorities and travel experts have reiterated the importance of checking weather forecasts before planning trips to mountainous areas. Travellers are also advised to maintain safe distances between vehicles during snowfall to reduce the risk of collisions in case of sudden stops or skidding.

Maintaining adequate distance between vehicles ensures better reaction time and minimizes accidents, particularly in slippery and unpredictable terrain conditions common in such regions.