888 rescued, 1,000 still stuck in Lahaul-Spiti

Dipender Manta

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Tribune News Service

Mandi, September 26

More than 888 tourists, including five foreigners, have been evacuated during the past two days and over 1,000 are still stranded in snow-hit Lahaul-Spiti district.

As many as 38 persons were airlifted by an IAF team from Lahaul-Spiti. Three stranded persons, including an expectant mother from Nepal, have died. As the weather cleared on Wednesday, the government and the IAF stepped up efforts to airlift tourists. “Most have been brought to Manali and Kullu,” said Deputy Commissioner Yunus Khan, who is supervising the relief and rescue operation. The IAF has deployed three helicopters while the state is using the CM’s official chopper.

Nine persons from West Bengal were airlifted from Stingri and five from Baralacha Pass (16,020 ft). Five tourists from Norway and Denmark were also rescued.

Most people, who got stuck at Baralacha, were travelling to Leh. Heavy snowfall in the higher reaches, cloudburst and heavy rain devastated a large part. Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti were the worst affected.

Heavy snowfall on Rohtang has cut off Lahaul and Spiti valleys. The tourists have been stranded at several isolated locations.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been clearing the snow from various roads on a war footing. Some stretches have over eight feet of snow. By Tuesday, 457 persons had been rescued from Lahaul through the under-constructed Rohtang tunnel. The rescued persons include the faculty and students from IITs and some foreigners, said BRO Commander Colonel AK Awsathi.

Two victims were admitted to Regional Hospital, Kullu.

PM seeks report from CM on losses 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought details of losses suffered during the current monsoon season from CM Jai Ram Thakur over the phone. 
• The IAF has deployed three helicopters while the state is using the CM’s official chopper.
• Nine persons from West Bengal were airlifted from Stingri and five from Baralacha Pass.
• Five tourists from Norway and Denmark were also rescued.  Most people were travelling to Leh.