300 Tourists Still Stranded at 4100 M high Chandertal Lake in Spiti as IAF Chopper Could not Carry out Rescue Operation Due to Lack of Heliport at Chandratal: CM Sikhu

: Category: Latest; Published: 12 July 2023

KuldeepChauhan/HimbuMailNewsService

CM helicopter takes survey of tents of tourist at snowcovered Chandratal Lake in Spiti and view of lake in summer

Shimla/Keylong- More than 300 tourists are still stranded at 4100 m high snow-covered Chandertal Lake, the most surrealistic and beautiful spot in Lahaul-Spiti district as Indian Air Force helicopters could not carry out the rescue operation on June 12 today due to lack of heliport there as there is two ft snowfall there.

Armed with Dozers and JCBs and snow-cutter, rescue team led by horticulture minister Jagat Negi and Sanjay Awasthi, CPS, has launched the snow-clearing operation from Loser and Kaza side and reached Kunjam Pass at 15500 ft by this evening, braving -10 degree temperatures in three ft snow.

Chandertal Lake is about 25 kms from Kunjam Pass and it would take them hours to clear the snow down to Batal, from where the road branches out to the Chandertal.

The evacuation of 250 tourists have become a tough task and challenge that Negi and Awasthi along with frontline workers of road clearing team have accepted.

Their real worry is: the tourists are not acclimatised, equipped and sturdy enough to face the fury of nature and they may 'starve' in this no-men's land and may suffer from cold and hypothermia or so as the night temperatures drop drastically in the highland region.

IAF may need mountain warfare chopper to evacuate the stranded and suffering over 250 tourists.

Interestingly the rest of the Lahaul Valley looks calm and green and attractive for the visitors, but it was Kullu-Manali-Mandi and Chandertaal which witnessed nature’s fury.

There is broad sunshine in Lahaul but otherside beyond the Mulkila mountain, you spot snow in Chandertal-Kunjam region that has become a source of worry and miseries for the stranded tourists.

In Himachal, the tourists need not to worry as people here give more importance to "Atithi Devo Bhav(Guests are like God) than anything else.

As till today more than 50,000 tourists have been evacuated from various locations.

The Keylong-Manali highway has been restored today for traffic.

Second worry is Tent walas at Chandertal also have limited stocks and additional supplies cannot come as the road is blocked and there is no communication to the outside world.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu took the aerial survey of the Chandertal Loser and Sissu and spot the colourful tent colony pitched right at the entry pont of the Chandertal Lake, which is covered under a thick banket of snow.

Himachal Pradesh government has requisitioned six helicopters to airlift the tourists stranded there.

But none could take off due to bad weather and poor visibility to airlift the tourists. The tourists could not be rescued due to the bad weather. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu undertook the aerial survey of Chandratal Lake to assess the situation.

No casualty is reported from the highland region so far. There could be more people stuck or camping at Batal,Chatru Gramphu and other places as well.

The rescue operation could not be carried though the road as the Gramphu-Chatru-Batal-Chandertal highway that leads via the 15500 ft high snowbound Kunjam Pass is breached at several places. Adding to the problem is that the recent snowfall has made the road all the more slippery for traffic.

There is also no communication network in Chatru, Batal and Chandertal region as it has no human habitation except at Chatru where one or two potato and peas farms exist.

There are seasonal make-shifts dhabas at Grambhu, Chatru and Batal, while agents from Kullu, Manali and Lahaul-Spiti lay their tents at the mouth of the Chandertal, which located 10 km from Batal and 35 kms from Chatru.

Probably the tourists are camping in these tents and dhabhas for the last four days after the Gramphu-Chandertal and the main Batal-Kunjam-Kaza(Spiti) road was breached by the snow and the raging torrents and the sugring Chandra River that comes rushing through its course from Chandertal and Bara Shigri glacier located south-east of Chandertal.

Border Roads Organisation and HPPWD have deployed machineries to restore the road, but the scale of breaches and snowfall is vast and it is unlikely that this road will be restored immediately.

IAF helicopter has airlifted 8 tourists, mainly elderly, women and children from Chandertal on Tuesday, but the chopper failed to repeat the sorties due to the bad weather.

Three days back, the rescue party from Lahaul -Spiti district led by the SP had provided the food items and other essentials including Medicines to the stranded tourists there.

The tourists are camping in the tents, and dhabas, which are seasonally laid there by the local agents.

What's surprising is that such a large number of tourists were allowed or willingly visited snowbound Chandertal despite IMD and NDMA had issued red weather alert five days in advance predicting heavy rains and snowfall in Highland Himalaya.

As of now many as 6600 tourist vehicles, along with 800 individuals, who were stranded in Kasol and Lahaul and Manali, were rescued today and were on their way back homes after four days after the Manali-Mandi-Chandigarh highway was partially restored for one way traffic movement.

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Sword of Uncertainty Over Six CPSs’ Fate Temporarily Lifted: Relief for Sukhu Government

In a major relief to the Himachal Pradesh government, the Supreme Court has stayed the High Court’s directive to initiate disqualification proceedings against six MLAs who were appointed as Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs).

This decision, welcomed by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has brought a temporary reprieve to his administration, which was grappling with the political and legal ramifications of the High Court’s order.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court had earlier quashed the appointments of the six CPSs, deeming them unconstitutional, and directed the Assembly Speaker to initiate disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection law.

However, the Supreme Court’s stay has effectively paused the implementation of this directive, offering the government some breathing space to strategize its next legal move.

CM Sukhu Hails Supreme Court’s Clarity

Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, CM Sukhu expressed his satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s interpretation, which he said provided much-needed clarity on the matter.

"The relief granted by the Supreme Court is significant, and we will deliberate on the next steps after considering all legal aspects,” he said.

The Chief Minister also emphasized that the apex court’s interpretation differed from paragraph 50 of the High Court’s verdict, which had been the basis of the controversial directive.

Opposition’s “Childish” Behavior Criticized

Shifting his focus to the opposition, Sukhu took a sharp jab at their tactics, describing their behavior as “childish” and lacking focus on real issues.

“There are no controversies here, but their behavior is simply immature. From toilet tax to ‘Samosa Politics,’ they are just distracting from the real issues,” he said.

Sukhu accused the opposition BJP of attempting to create diversions because of its failure to make a dent in the Congress’s strength during the Vidhan Sabha elections.

“Their ‘Operation Lotus’ was decisively rejected by the people, and Congress retained its 40-seat strength. Now, they resort to personal attacks to divert attention from our welfare schemes,” he added.

Relief Amid Mounting Challenges

The Supreme Court’s stay on the High Court’s order has momentarily eased the pressure on the Sukhu government, but the sword of uncertainty continues to hang over the six MLAs who served as CPSs.

With questions around their appointments still unresolved, the case remains a legal minefield.

The CPS appointments had drawn criticism for allegedly violating constitutional provisions, which prohibit the creation of such posts without legislative backing.

The High Court’s scathing remarks and the directive for disqualification had added fuel to the controversy, creating a storm in the state’s political landscape.

While the Supreme Court’s intervention provides temporary relief, the Sukhu government must now prepare for a protracted legal battle to defend the appointments and protect its legislative majority.

Opposition’s Counterattacks

The BJP, meanwhile, has been quick to pounce on the issue, accusing the government of flouting constitutional norms for political convenience. Party leaders have argued that the CPS appointments were a backdoor way to reward loyalists, a claim that Sukhu has staunchly denied.

The opposition’s attacks, combined with the ongoing legal scrutiny, highlight the precarious nature of the government’s position. For now, the Supreme Court’s decision is a welcome pause, but the final word on the matter could still have far-reaching consequences for the political stability of Himachal Pradesh.

Sukhu’s Call for Responsibility

Amid the controversy, Sukhu reiterated his commitment to governance and welfare. He called on the opposition to act responsibly and raise issues that matter to the common man.

“Significant progress has been made in improving the socio-economic status of the underprivileged during this tenure, and that remains our priority,” he stated.

With the legal wrangling far from over, the fate of the six CPSs—and the stability of the Sukhu government—remains inextricably tied to the unfolding courtroom drama.

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