Rohtang Pass closed for winter

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, November 13

Rescue posts have been set up at Koksar and Marhi on the Manali-Leh highway for villagers if they get trapped while trying to cross Rohtang on foot even as the pass was officially closed for vehicular traffic today.

The traffic movement between Manali and Lahaul was stopped on Monday due to fresh snowfall at Rohtang.

Generally, Rohtang Pass is officially closed every year for traffic on November 15 for winter but due to early snowfall this year, the BRO has pulled back its machinery and workforce from the area.

According to a BRO official, the pass received more than 60 cm snow in two days. The road had turned slippery and frost started to deposit on the ground, which could be risky for those travelling on the route.

DC, Lahaul Spiti, Ashwani Kumar Chaudhari said the district administration had set up two rescue posts at Koksar and Marhi, where 10 persons have been deployed for rescue.

The DC said the villagers had been advised to ensure their registration at each post while coming from Manali and heading towards Lahaul.

This has been done to enable the district administration to provide immediate help if anybody who gets trapped while crossing in the area on foot. The rescue posts will be removed on December 31 or earlier depending over the weather condition.

During winter these days, residents of Lahaul Spiti shuttle between Manali and Lahaul via Rohtang Pass on foot, when the Pass is closed for vehicular traffic.