Shimla :
A seven-month-old baby struggling to breathe was safely rescued by an NHAI highway patrolling team after heavy rain and landslides blocked the Chamba-Bharmour stretch of NH-154A on Thursday.
The infant, who was on oxygen support and required ventilator assistance, was being taken to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba, in an ambulance when landslides and rockfall occurred near Durgethi, leaving the family stranded.
With the baby’s condition worsening, the NHAI team reached the spot despite the risk of falling rocks and unstable slopes. A team member carried the infant to a patrol vehicle and shifted the baby and family through the dangerous stretch.
The team later transferred the infant to another patrol vehicle after another landslide blocked the route, ensuring the family reached the hospital on time.
Officials praised the NHAI personnel for their courage and quick response. The team also helped an elderly patient during the highway blockade and continued efforts to clear debris and restore traffic movement.
Authorities have advised residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel in landslide-prone areas amid heavy rainfall.
