Shimla/Keylong - In a rescue operation by IAF aircraft, over 10 tourists, including senior citizens and families with young children, were air-lifted and evacuated from the snow-swathed Chandal Lake in Lahaul-Spiti to Bhuntar Airport.
Highland region's notorious freak snowfall and raging torrents in nallas and streams caught the tourists off-guard, emphasizing the need for adequate preparation to tackle such exigencies.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said in Kullu on July 10 that the six IAF choppers have been deployed to speed up the evacuation of the stranded tourists in various places across the state.
While rescue teams, led by SP Lahaul-Spiti, have successfully reached out to and provided essential supplies to more than 200 stranded individuals at Chandrtal Lake, Batal, and Chatru over the past two days, over a hundred tourists remain marooned at Chandadal, Chatru, and Chhota Dhara.
The Kunjam Pass and Lahaul Valley experienced a light snowfall yesterday, causing a significant drop in temperature.
Fortunately, the SP assures that these stranded individuals are safe and have ample food supplies. Locals have already set up tents at Chandratal, Batal, and Chatru to assist tourists during each season.
For locals and Gaddi shepherds freak snowfall and mercurial weather has become a new normal now.
But the tourists mainly Indians are ill-prepared and give two hoots to forearming them with travelling kits and stocks.
There are ttourists who travel in Hawai Chappal to the snowcapped Chandertal and Rohtang Pass located at 13500 ft or so. The highland passes and treks are captivating. but they are unforgiving and treahrious as
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, deeply concerned by the flood and rain-hit areas, is personally toured the affected regions in Kullu and Mandi.
He arrived in Kullu and oversew evacuation and restoration operations in the rain-ravaged Kullu district and witnessed the destruction himself.
The snowcapped valley, known for its freak weather, has been witnessing an unprecedented weather events over the years. In August 2000 and 2018 when the Lahaul Valley received over a foot of snow fall. This extreme weather event wreaked havoc on apple orchards and vegetation, resulting in substantial losses.
More operations are in the pipeline on July 11 and 12 to evacuate tourists in the region if the weather god permits it.
As the rescue and relief efforts intensify, authorities are reminded of the pressing need for preparedness and caution when venturing into these highland regions, where unpredictable weather conditions continue to pose significant risks to tourists and trekkers alike.
