Kailash yatra route under heavy snow

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, February 25

Heavy deposits of snow have been reported on the 22-km route of Kailash Mansarowar from Gunji to Lipulekh pass. The ITBP has done the first survey of the route three months before this year’s Kailash Mansarowar yatra that is being organised from the second week of June.

“We have done the first survey of the yatra route and found the density of snow deposits over 12 cm and 20 cm at at Gunji and Chiyalekh, respectively, and at Garbyang (10 cm), Kalapani (54 cm) and Nabhidhang (65 cm). The Lipulekh pass, the highest place of the yatra, has over 150 cm of snow deposits at present,” says Mahendra Pratap, Commandant of 7th Battalion of the ITBP.

According to ITBP sources, the second survey of the Kailash Mansarowar route will be done after March 15 when snow starts melting due to increase in temperatures. During the second survey of the route, ITBP jawans will detect damage caused to the route by heavy snow. “The information of damage caused will be sent to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Pithoragarh district administration, besides the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, the nodal agency of the yatra,” says the ITBP officer.

The ITBP is an essential part of every year’s Kailash Mansarowar pilgrimage from the Lipulekh pass. It not only provides medical facilities to pilgrims but also rescue and relief on the route.