The Himalayan region is not your average driving ground with multiple lane options that allow for relatively stress-free driving. It is a narrow network of winding roads, often battered with snow, rain, cloud bursts, and landslides, that puts even the best drivers to the test.
The Zojila Pass, situated at around 11,500 feet, is known for sudden weather changes, steep incline angles, slippery roads, and reduced oxygen levels because of the high altitude.
But the drop in oxygen affects both man and machine. While drivers can experience exhaustion as a result, internal combustion vehicles experience a slight drop in power given the reduced oxygen intake.
That can have a detrimental effect on the vehicle’s ability to climb steep mountain passes like Zojila, especially heavy vehicles running under full load. Footage of one such truck, which eventually rolled back due to a suspected brake failure and fell into a gorge, has gone viral.
Truck Goes Down, Driver’s Split-Second Decision Saves His Life
The footage, shared on social media, shows the truck struggling to go forward on the Zojila Pass located on the Srinagar-Leh national highway.
Large rocks can be seen behind the wheels of the truck, which seem like they were placed by the helper/co-driver to prevent the vehicle from rolling back.
This technique is adopted for large vehicles carrying excessive loads or that are low on power to prevent them from rolling back when the driver goes off the clutch and presses the gas pedal. However, loading the clutch with repeated tries can lead to premature clutch wear.
What made matters worse for the truck driver on the Himalayan pass was that he was stuck at a sharp curve, as cars coming from the opposite direction stopped for the truck to pass through.
Several sections of the Zojila Pass are so narrow that a car and a truck can barely fit next to each other. But for this truck driver, his vehicle would just not go forward.
The first attempt to get going saw the truck inch forward, but it soon began to roll back. The driver somehow brought it to a halt, only to try again. However, that backfired quite badly as the truck started rolling back.
This time, it would not stop, likely due to brake failure. Given the truck’s weight and the mountainous terrain, the frequent use of brakes may have overheated them to the point of failure.
The truck continued to go downhill in reverse, eventually going off the road and into a 500-foot gorge underneath, creating a cloud of dust.
Luckily for the driver, his quick thinking to jump off at the last moment saved his life. The co-driver was also fortunate to have alighted in advance to help his colleague with directions.
Unfortunately, the driver can be seen grieving and shouting uncontrollably since his only source of income was now destroyed.
Zojila Pass Highlights the Importance of Vehicle Fitness
The high-altitude mountain pass is located at a strategic location near the India-Pakistan border, and is a key route for tourists traveling to the Ladakh region in the Himalayas.
Being near the border, it is also frequented by the Indian Army, and as a result, several attempts are being made to keep the road in its best condition. However, harsh weather and landslides often damage it significantly.
This adds to the challenge vehicles face while executing steep hairpin bends. Consequently, motorists traveling through Zojila and other high Himalayan mountain passes should maintain their vehicles in the best possible condition.
Even if it means carrying out preventive maintenance on components nearing the end of their service life, such as the brakes, engine belts, cooling system, and clutch.
The Zojila Pass remains closed in the winter due to excessive snowfall, since it is nearly impossible to drive through. To address this, a tunnel is being built through the pass to ensure year-round accessibility.
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As an American truck driver, they have my utmost respect for tacking those mountain roads.
I hope his truck was insured! Glad he’s safe!