Over 250 tourists have been stationed in nearby places in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district amid snowfall in the region after torrential rains hampered the clearing of massive landslides that snapped road links, rescuers said on Monday.
Nearly 200 were evacuated on Sunday from the glacial-fed Chandertal or moon lake area in Spiti Valley after being stranded for two days. They have been stationed in hotels and government accommodations by the local administration.
Likewise, the motorists, comprising tourists and locals in two state-roadways buses, have been stuck after a flashflood in the Pagal nullah near Sissu village in the Lahaul Valley. The flashflood has blocked the Manali-Leh highway.
“Our teams are in regular contact with most of the stranded tourists in Chandertal and Sissu areas. The local administration has provided them accommodation in nearby places,” Additional Director General of Police Abhishek Trivedi told IANS.
He said the local police have made arrangements for the tourists to talk to their family members as the mobile network connectivity was hampered with torrential rains.
“All the tourists are safe. They will be evacuated if the road links are reopened with the clearing of landslides. Right now, the area is witnessing snowfall. If the weather permits, they might be airlifted,” Trivedi said.
He added that Superintendent of Police Mayank Chaudhary was on the spot at the Chandertal to supervise the relief and rescue operation.
Officials said the snow and landslide clearing operation by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) would restart once the weather becomes clear.
The Chandertal lake -- a crescent-shaped basin surrounded by the Himalayas -- is located at an elevation of 14,100 ft. The lake is accessible only during the summer. In winter, it remains frozen.
AFSPA extended in Manipur, parts of Nagaland, Arunachal for another 6 months
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act for another six months in certain parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, officials said, adding that further extension of the law would be effective from April 1.
PM Modi slams Cong for decades of 'neglect' & underdevelopment in Chhattisgarh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday strongly criticised the previous Congress governments for years of neglect towards Chhattisgarh, accusing it of plunging the state into a prolonged era of darkness and underdevelopment.
Navy ships from Andaman to carry relief material to quake-hit Myanmar
Indian Navy ships Karmuk and LCU 52 from the Andaman and Nicobar Command will also be sailing for Yangon on Sunday to boost ‘Operation Brahma’ to render assistance to earthquake-hit Myanmar.
IAF’s Su-30 MKI to display skills in multinational exercise in Greece
Aiming to hone skills against a dozen other counterparts, including the US, Israel, and France, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be participating in biennial multinational air exercise INIOCHOS-25, starting in Greece from Monday, an official said.
PM Modi lays foundation stone for 800 MW Sipat III power project
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Sipat stage-III, an advanced 800 MW ultra-supercritical power single unit on Sunday, by remotely pressing a button during a ceremony held in Mohbhatta village, Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh.
Building a developed, inclusive Bharat will be true tribute to Babasaheb: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that a developed and inclusive Bharat will be the true tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar and will take the country to new heights of progress with his values and teachings.
Another haul of areca nuts smuggled from Myanmar seized in Mizoram
Assam Rifles, along with Customs, have seized a large consignment of smuggled areca nuts, also known as Burmese Betel nuts, valued at Rs 1.79 crore in Mizoram, officials said on Sunday.