Over 2,000 Sheep And Goats Trapped Under Heavy Snow At Rupin Pass In Himachal, Joint Rescue Team Reaches Site More than 2,000 livestock animals were caught under deep snow along the Rupin Pass connecting Kinnaur and Shimla as sudden severe snowfall hit pastoralists migrating southward. A sudden turn of extreme weather in the high-altitude tracks of Himachal Pradesh has hit migratory pastoralists hard. In the rugged Rupin Pass region, which bridges Sangla in Kinnaur district with Dodra-Kwar in Shimla district, more than 2,000 sheep and goats are feared buried under deep snow following heavy snowfall that struck the heights on September 26. The livestock were traveling with local shepherds moving toward lower altitudes ahead of approaching winter conditions when severe weather cut off their descent route. Sudden High-Altitude Snowfall Catches Herders Mid-Descent Recent days saw torrential rains coupled with abrupt snowfall lash the upper reaches of Kinnaur. During that window, herders were driving their flocks along traditional mountain corridors to reach warmer valleys for the winter months. As they attempted to cross the challenging Rupin Pass, severe snowfall set in unexpectedly, blinding the tracks and halting movement altogether. While some herders trailing behind were able to turn back in time, those who had already traversed the critical heights found themselves completely unable to negotiate the treacherous downhill slopes through accumulating drifts. Administrative Response And Satellite-Linked Rescue Deployment Following reports of the disaster, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi instructed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Dodra-Kwar to mobilize an immediate rescue mission. A composite search and rescue team comprising local pastoralists, Home Guards, police personnel, and revenue department staff was promptly organized. The deployed team successfully climbed to the highest ridge of Rupin Pass on Wednesday and has established communication with district authorities using satellite phones to relay direct ground assessments from the frozen mountain pass. Snow Accumulation Exceeds Three Feet With Visible Animal Horns According to Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, snow cover at the pass currently exceeds three feet in depth. Ground estimates provided by herders suggest around 2,000 livestock animals have been trapped underneath the heavy drifts. At present, only the horns of certain larger animals can be seen breaking through the snow crust, while the condition and survival status of the smaller sheep and goats remain unverified under the thick layers. Authorities confirmed that no human casualties or injuries have been reported among the shepherds involved in the expedition. Comprehensive Damage Survey And Targeted Relief Assistance Planned The minister confirmed that an additional team of specialized officers from relevant departments will soon be dispatched to conduct a full, on-site damage assessment. A conclusive tally of livestock fatalities will only become possible once the heavy snow cover melts and a comprehensive physical verification takes place across the pass. The state administration has assured the impacted herders that relief distribution will commence promptly following the survey, with plans underway to extend financial support through a targeted special relief package to help pastoral communities recover their losses. Rupin Pass serves as a vital high-altitude link between Himachal Pradesh and neighboring Uttarakhand. What this means for you The abrupt weather deterioration over high Himalayan passes directly threatens the livelihood of pastoral communities and underlines seasonal migration risks. • In Himachal Pradesh: Nomadic herders migrating from upper reaches face severe livestock losses that threaten their primary livelihood. State authorities are preparing a targeted relief package to partially compensate verified animal casualties once melting allows counting. • Across India: High-altitude trekkers, adventure travelers, and expedition organizers across the country are reminded of the extreme perils of sudden Himalayan weather shifts. Anyone planning to traverse trans-Himalayan passes between states must strictly verify clearance and local forecasts. • For Local Administration: The deployment of satellite phones with joint rescue squads demonstrates the critical need for resilient field communication in roadless frontier ridges. Administrative teams in alpine belts will need heightened vigilance across other migratory passes through late autumn. • For Pastoral Herders: Traditional migration timelines require adjustment when early unseasonal freezes occur along elevated mountain corridors. Maintaining advance contact with valley monitoring posts is vital to avoid getting trapped on desolate passes. Why this happened The trapping of livestock at Rupin Pass resulted from an unexpected early freeze intersecting with annual seasonal herd migrations across high ridges. • Sudden Severe Snowstorm: On September 26, intense rainfall gave way to heavy snowfall across Kinnaur high reaches, piling over three feet of snow. The swift accumulation caught traveling herds in exposed terrain with zero shelter. • Seasonal Transhumance Migration: Pastoral herders routinely navigate these high corridors in late September to move animals from alpine pastures down to warmer valley wintering grounds. The sudden blizzard caught the migrating animals right as they reached the critical saddle of the pass. • Challenging High-Altitude Geography: Rupin Pass features narrow, rocky pathways where rapid snow accumulation immediately erases footing and trail markers. Animals that had already crossed into the upper pass could neither descend nor safely double back through the blizzard. Questions & Answers 1. What incident occurred at Rupin Pass? More than 2,000 sheep and goats were trapped under more than three feet of snow following sudden heavy snowfall on September 26. 2. Where is Rupin Pass located? Rupin Pass lies between Sangla in Kinnaur and Dodra-Kwar in Shimla district, serving as a high-altitude connection between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 3. Were there any human casualties in the incident? According to Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, no human casualties occurred and the herders are reported safe. 4. Who is participating in the rescue operation? A joint rescue team comprising local shepherds, Home Guards, police personnel, and revenue officials was mobilized under the SDM of Dodra-Kwar. 5. How does the administration plan to compensate the affected herders? Once snow melts and physical counts confirm the losses, the government will release relief aid under a designated special relief package. https://trendkia.com/en/himachal-pradesh/himachal-ke-rupin-darre-para-achanaka-himapata-men-dabin-2-000-se-adhika-bhera-bakariyan-rahata-dala-mauke-para-bheja-gaya-41204 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.