Ladakh, May 27 : In a remarkable operation initiated by the Leh administration, more than 100 tourists, including women and children, who were stranded in the perilous Chang-la Axis of Ladakh due to heavy snowfall, have been successfully rescued.
The operation, which began on Friday evening, continued into Saturday morning as the Ladakh Police UTDRF, along with personnel from the Kharu police post, sprang into action. Eight tourists were rescued from Chang-la Top amid challenging snowfall conditions, bringing relief to the distressed visitors, according to the Ladakh UT’s additional DGP.
With the assistance of the Army, GREF, and other teams, the rescue operation was carried out successfully. Reports had been pouring in about tourists encountering difficulties due to snow at the Zojila Pass in the Kargil district of Ladakh. Police are providing assistance to tourist vehicles at the Zojila axis, and highway patrols have been intensified to aid those in distress, as stated by the Kargil Police.
The situation at Chang La, a high mountain pass situated at an elevation of 17,688 ft in the Ladakh Range between Leh and the Shyok River valley, posed a significant challenge. Chang La, located on the Leh to Pangong Lake road, forms part of the Leh-Karu-Sakti-Zingral-Chang La-Durbuk-Tangtse-Pangong Lake motorable road.
The rescue operation was necessitated by continuous intermittent snowfall over the past two days, resulting in treacherous and slippery road conditions. Leh District Police successfully rescued hundreds of stranded passengers, including women, children, and tourists, who found themselves immobilized at Changla Top.
In response to the emergencies caused by inclement weather and intermittent snowfall compounded by icy road conditions, the police teams from Kharu and Tangste police posts swiftly rushed to Changla Top. Their primary focus was to rescue and evacuate stranded passengers, with particular attention given to women, children, and tourists. Those with self-driven cars were transferred to police vehicles and local taxis, ensuring their safe transport to secure locations. Private vehicles were also guided to safety with the assistance of local drivers. Moreover, priority was given to tourists and children with medical complications, ensuring their timely evacuation to Leh.
The Ladakh Police’s UTDRF rescue team, along with the Army and GREF rescue teams, played an active role in the operation. Through their combined efforts, all stranded individuals were safely evacuated without any untoward incidents. The rescued individuals were transported to Leh for further assistance, as confirmed by the police.
Due to the significant influx of tourists and local passengers requiring assistance, the rescue operation continued until the early hours of the morning. The Ladakh Police appealed to tourists and the general public to adhere to weather advisories, plan their journeys accordingly, and prioritize safer travel experiences.
In a separate incident, the Baramulla Police successfully rescued a tourist family from Telangana who had lost their way and become stuck in Kangdoori, Gulmarg, after going on a Gondola ride. The timely intervention of the police ensured their safe return.
