Shepherds, livestock rescued in Lahaul-Spiti

In a swift and coordinated operation, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Lahaul-Spiti rescued several shepherds stranded near Patsio after heavy rain, snowfall and landslides cut them off in the high-altitude terrain.

Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana, acting on a distress alert, dispatched a five-member rescue team led by CDPO Khushvinder. Battling debris, fallen rocks and snow-covered tracks, the team travelled in two vehicles and carried out a six-hour-long operation before successfully tracing the shepherds and their flocks — around 2,100 sheep and goats.

The stranded shepherds were provided immediate relief, including painkillers, high-altitude sickness medicines, anti-allergy tablets, ORS and other essential drugs. The team also distributed 200 kg of firewood and food supplies to help them endure freezing conditions. However, two goats belonging to a shepherd named Inder Singh were found dead.