Hundreds evacuated from snow-bound Lahaul valley

MC Thakur

MANALI, NOVEMBER 23

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the snow-bound Lahaul valley in over 100 vehicles today after the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) cleared snow from the Manali-Rohtang-Keylong highway yesterday.

As many as 112 vehicles crossed the rescue post at Koksar village in the Lahaul valley till 1 pm.

As the road is covered with a thick layer of snow due to extreme cold conditions, many vehicles got stuck mid-way and had to be pulled out by the BRO’s vehicles.

Border Roads Task Force Commander Colonel AK Awasthi said 112 vehicles had gone to Manali from Lahaul. “The road surface is slippery and risky for vehicles. To ensure the smooth movement of vehicles, we are allowing one-way traffic. Vehicles from Lahaul were allowed to cross Rohtang and vehicles from Manali will cross Rohtang on Friday,” he said.

The Commander said it was not an easy task to clear the road within a record time as severe cold and blizzards were the main challenge. “Even machines do not work in such weather. At some stretch, we had to clear up to 4-ft snow. We had engaged snow cutters, four dozers and three JCB machines from Koksar and Marhi sides,” he added.

Awasthi further added that the highway had been officially closed on November 15 but the BRO had cleared snow only to facilitate residents of the Lahaul valley.

The residents travel between Lahaul and Kullu to stock essentials before heavy snowfall cuts off the valley from Kullu.

He also said BRO officials would conduct a joint recce of Rohtang with Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti administration to see the conditions and decide if road should be closed to traffic. He said they would not clear snow from Rohtang if another spell of snow blocked it as it was not safe.

Vehicles from Manali move today

• As many as 112 vehicles crossed the rescue post at Koksar village in the Lahaul valley till 1 pm today
• As the road is covered with thick layer of snow, many vehicles got stuck in the mid-way which were pulled out by the BRO’s vehicles
• Vehicles from Manali will cross Rohtang to Lahaul on Friday
• BRO officials will conduct a  joint recce of Rohtang with Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti administration to decide if road should be closed to traffic