The Hindu : Other States / Himachal Pradesh News : Stranded people rescued

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Friday, Oct 15, 2004

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Other States - Himachal Pradesh

Stranded people rescued

SHIMLA, OCT. 14. More than 300 people who were stranded on the high altitude Rohtang Pass due to heavy snowfall have been rescued while Lahaul and Pangi valleys of Himachal Pradesh remained cut off for the fifth day today.

As many as 320 people who were held up at Mari and Koksar sides of the Rohtang Pass were brought to Manali today with the help of rescue teams, official sources said.

The Kullu district administration has asked people not to cross the 13,059 ft Rohtang pass till the road was cleared and set up posts at Mari and Koksar to monitor movement of people.

Kushal Sharma, DSP, Manali said rescue teams from Mountaineering Institute, Explore Himalayas group and District Administration trekked several kilometres under heavy snow to bring the stranded people to Mari from where they were transported by taxis.

The hotel owners at Mari gave free food and shelter to the people rescued from snowbound areas while taxi operators provided free transport to Manali.

The Lahaul and Pangi valleys remained cut off from rest of the state for the fifth day today and hundreds of vehicles including 150 odd vehicles of the `Raid de Himalaya' motor rally remained tranded in Lahaul.

The officials were hopeful that the Rohtang Pass would be opened by tomorrow evening in case there was no fresh snowfall and the stranded vehicles would be able to cross the Pass, covered under a thick layer of snow.

Meanwhile, weather cleared in hilly regions after four days providing much relief to the people from biting cold.

PTI

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