Shimla/Kaza:  A  three-days long rescue mission to snow-covered glacial ChandraTaal Lake located in the heart of lofty 18000 ft Mulkila mountains has scripted a saga of Human love and compassion that has saved  over 290  people, who were marooned from the human civilisation for four days.

In a display of rare humane spirit, a team of nine young men from Spiti  crossed the treacherous 15500 ft high Kunjum Pass, braving three feet of snow and reached out  260 stranded people at  the enchanting Chandratal Lake.

Karmyogis of Deepak Project of  Border Roads Organisation  has cleared the  road to Candrataal  from Batal that made the rescue operation so swift and smooth.   BRO team also joined the rescue team at Chandrataal and made the operation so smooth and prompt. 

As soon as they reached at the marooned tent colony at ChandraTaal on July 12 in the wee hours, they rekindled the hopes and spirits for survival among the tourists there.

They were a part of the rescue operation tram Led by Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi (65) and CPS Sanjay Awasthy (55).

This heroic rescue mission was organized by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh and Negi and others after CM took the aerial Survey of Chandrataal region  to aid those who had been stranded for five days, including foreigners, shepherds, and tourists from all over India.

The challenging terrain posed a significant obstacle as there was no suitable landing site for IAF helicopters.

Nonetheless, Indian Air Force pilots conducted two daring sorties to airlift 15 vulnerable individuals, including senior citizens, women, children, and seven others who were  in need of urgent medical attention.

To reach the stranded tourists  who were beyond the reach of helicopters, the Negi-Awasthy mission utilized three JCBs and a snow cutter and 10 other four-wheeled vehicles.

 They tirelessly cleared the snow and slush on the Lasar-Kunjam road until Batal, and then continued their snow-clearing operation on the 14 Km Batal-Chandratal link road, which had slush, torrents, boulders and and slippery hurdles

The arrival of the team on foot at Chandratal Lake infused newfound hope in the hearts of those who had all but given up.

One by one, the stranded individuals were rescued and brought aboard jeeps and vehicles, including those that had been trapped in the same location.

The journey towards Kunjam Pass proved to be arduous, with vehicles frequently getting stuck in the snow and slush.

Nevertheless, the determined JCB drivers and frontline workers skillfully maneuvered through the challenging terrain, refusing to give up.

After a grueling 15-hour journey, the entire convoy triumphantly crossed Kunjam Pass, finally reaching the last village of Spiti, Losar.

As they bid farewell to the frozen and desolate  yet beautiful world of Chandrataal, they entered the realm of human civilization at Lasar.

Late in the evening, they arrived at Kaza, the headquarters of the Spiti Sub-division, where a sense of relief and gratitude permeated the air. Tourists expressed their emotions and gratitude to CM, Negi and Aasthi and frontline workers, who saved them from the jaw of death.  

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh expressed his utmost admiration for the extraordinary rescue operation led by Minister Jagat Singh Negi and CPS Sanjay Awasthy. He commended their selfless dedication in undertaking the challenging task of reaching out to stranded tourists at the snow-covered Chandra Taal Lake. Accompanied by a team of frontline workers, they fearlessly embarked on their mission at 2:00 AM, delving into the serene stillness of nature.

Without wasting a moment, they cleared the 14-kilometer-long Chandertal-Batal-Kunjam and Losar Road, making this heroic rescue effort possible. Minister Negi later confirmed that the rescued tourists had safely arrived in Kaza, the sub-divisional headquarters of Spiti, restoring hope and reuniting them with their loved ones.

The rescue team and tourists were greeted with a heart-warming hospitality by Spiti people when they reached Kaza.  

This remarkable rescue operation, carried out over several daring missions, saved the lives of more than 290 people who had come to enjoy Nature in Lahaul-Spiti.

 Among those rescued were seven Gaddi shepherds who had been tending to their flocks of sheep in the Chandra Taal region during the summer. However, the fate of their herds and loyal Gaddi dogs remains uncertain due to the heavy snowfall they encountered.

BRO has restored Darcha-Padam-Zanskar road and rescued foreigners stranded on this road.

The story of the courageous rescue team and the lives they saved serves as a testament to the human spirit and the power of unity in the face of adversity.

Negi honoured  the three JCB machine operators besides a team of youth from Losar and Pangmo namely  Naamka, Gyalsan, Chhering Dorje, Tashi Keshang, Namgyal, Tenzin Zangpo, Takpa Ishe, Pemba Tshering, Tenzin Kunfun and the Gram Panchayat head of Losar, Rinchin Dolma for their commendable contribution in the rescue operation and braving the chill in sub-zero temperature to reach out to stranded tourists.

He said that the 26 km snow-covered road was cleared for vehicles at around 1.30 AM with the help of three JCBs, which included private operators, BRO and company workers and locals.

The Minister also commended the efforts of Superintendent of Police, Lahaul & Spiti, Mayank Chaudhary, who was last to move out after sending the stranded tourists, ADC Kaza, Rahul Jain, SDM Kaza, Harsh Negi, Tehsildar Bhumika Jain, Naib Tehsildar Prem Chand, Tribal Advisory Committee Member Keshang Rapchik, Veer Bhagat, Lidang, and the team of about 70 members from Losar, Kibber, Chichim, Kaza and from other villages. Apart from this the Minister also felicitated and lauded the efforts of Border Road Organisation (BRO), ITBP, Police, New Age India and Garg & Garg Company besides  Lambardar of Losar village for actively participating and working 24X7 to rescue the people stuck up in Chandartaal.

  Negi has announced a reward of one lakh rupees to Mahila and Yuvak Mandal of Losar for their important role in the relief and rescue operation and organising food and snacks for those rescued from Chandrataal at Losar

Their unwavering commitment to helping those in need exemplifies the best of humanity, inspiring hope and reminding us of the incredible capacity for compassion that lies within us all.