Shimla, July 11: A helicopter from the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been requisitioned to airlift tourists who are stranded at Chandertal in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti district. Principal Secretary, Revenue, Onkar Chand Sharma confirmed that a rescue team from Kaza has already reached Kunzum Top, which is just eight kilometers away from the lake. The stranded tourists, approximately 300 in number, including individuals facing breathing issues due to the high altitude, will be evacuated by Tuesday night.
Efforts are underway to restore road connectivity, with two teams assigned for road restoration—one from the Losar side and the other from Kaza. These teams comprise members from the administration, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), police, and local villagers.
The heavy monsoon rainfall since June 24 has resulted in extensive damage to roads, bridges, and water supply schemes in the state, with an estimated loss of Rs 780 crore. The state emergency operation center reports that 1,239 roads, including major national highways, such as Shimla-Kalka and Manali-Chandigarh, are currently blocked due to heavy downpour. Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus services have been suspended on 1,416 routes, and 679 buses are held en route. Additionally, the closure of Chandigarh-Manali and Shimla-Kalka highways has disrupted the supply of essential items to various areas, including Shimla and Manali.
Power supply and water availability have been severely affected in Kullu and Mandi due to disrupted transformers and damaged water supply schemes. Landslides have caused road blockages in Manali and neighboring areas, leading to temporary isolation. However, the rain has subsided since Monday evening, enabling rescue operations and road restoration to progress. Relief camps have been set up in Kullu and Manali to provide assistance to those stranded.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is scheduled to visit Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, and Mandi to conduct an aerial survey of the affected areas. The meteorological department has issued warnings of possible moderate to high flash floods in Shimla, Sirmaur, and Kinnaur districts. Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been reported in several districts, including Nahan, Dhaulakuan, Shimla, Mandi, and Kinnaur.
