IAF rescues people stranded on Himachal’s higher reaches

Tribune News Service
Shimla, September 28

Six bikers along with 20 tourists who were stranded in Himachal Pradesh were rescued by a Mi-17 V5 helicopter of the IAF.

The stranded bikers and tourists were picked up from locations near Chhattru and Chhota Dara on the way from Rohtang Pass to Chandrataal near Bara Shigri glacier, who had got stuck there due to heavy snow in the region.

The rescued bikers included three women hailing from Delhi, Thiruvananthpuram and Rajkot. More people are reported to be holed up at a snowbound location near Chhattru. They will be rescued in subsequent sorties by IAF helicopters later in the day.

The BRO has opened the Manali-Sarchu road till Km 182. It means Patsio and Zing Zing Bar are connected. The BRO is providing transport to evacuate around 95 people from Patsio to Keylong.

The work to clear Rohtang Pass and Baralachala Pass from either side are in full swing. Work is also in progress to connect Gramphoo to Chattru.

On Thursday, 424 people were evacuated from Lahaul-Spiti and taken to Kullu, while 350 were evacuated via the Rohtang tunnel and 74 people airlifted.

As many as 74 people, including three German nationals, were airlifted from the Baralacha Pass, Sarchu, Satingri, Chhota Dara and Kunzum Pass.

Seven were rescued from the Rohtang Pass by BRO personnel. They were admitted to the Manali hospital.

Ten women and three children, spotted in a remote shelter near Chhota Dara, were airlifted. A few men were provided food packets, relief material and medicines. The rescued women and children were brought to Kullu.