More vehicles cross Rohtang Pass

MC Thakur

Manali, November 24

Thirty vehicles coming from Lahaul that were stuck at the Rahni nullah below the Rohtang Pass yesterday moved to Manali today.

Occupants had to spend the night at freezing Marhi, about 35 km from here.

Vehicles from the Manali side were allowed to go towards Rohtang and Lahaul-Spiti.

According to the BRO, 183 vehicles from Manali crossed the Rohtang Pass under the supervision of the BRO and rescue teams. As the road between Gulaba and Koksar is still slippery, the vehicles moved at a snail’s pace.

When trucks from Koksar came towards Manali, they got stuck at the Rahni nullah due to a narrow passage. The BRO and rescue personnel widened the road at midnight and brought all vehicles safely to Marhi. Some persons were given shelter in the rescue camp, while some chose to stay in cars.

A member of the rescue post at Marhi said 20 persons were staying with them. He said the rescue operation continued till 3 am and nobody could sleep.

The fuel in vehicles, stuck between Koksar and Marhi, froze due to severe cold conditions. Drivers had to light fire under fuel tanks. The BRO personnel helped them start the vehicles.

As soon as all vehicles from Marhi came towards Manali, the vehicles from the Manali side were allowed to go to Lahaul valley. As many as 183 vehicles that left Manali for Lahaul were carrying local residents of Lahaul and government employees stuck in Manali after snowfall. Some goods carriers were transporting fresh vegetables and other essential items from Manali to Lahaul.