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Despite the acceleration of evacuation efforts and the opening of roads, thousands of tourists are still stuck in various places in the rain-hit state of Himachal Pradesh, according to reports.
With more than 850 roads still closed, a large number of tourists have either extended their stay in the accommodations where they are staying or are waiting for the situation to improve.
Prime Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sokho on Wednesday described the evacuation of stranded tourists from Chandertal in Lahaul and Spiti as a “challenging task”. He added, “We have sent a minister and secretary to Speaker Sanjay Avasthi to Chandertal to assess the situation.” Conducting an aerial survey of the Losar and Schandertal regions. He said that Minister of State Jagat Singh Negi of the Kinnaur tribal region, who is familiar with the harsh terrain and tribal misfortunes, along with Avasti will assist in the rescue efforts in Chandertal.
“They will reach Chandertal by Wednesday evening,” Sokho added.
About 300 people, mostly tourists, have been stranded in Chandertal since Saturday and seven patients, including two elderly people and a girl, were flown from Chandertal to Bhunter on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, road rescue teams are clearing snow on the way to Chandertal. Additional Deputy Commissioner Kaza Rahul Jain, who is leading the rescue team, said the road near Kunzum Pass is covered in three to four feet of snow and road restoration is in full swing.
“More than 2,000 people stranded in Kasol have been successfully evacuated so far. Our teams are working tirelessly to clear the landslide in Dinkara on the Kasol-Bhuntar road. The district administration is coordinating relief efforts at the site. More than 2,200 vehicles have passed safely through Kullu, where You are receiving food support at Ramshilla Chowk. I am personally overseeing the situation and remain committed to overcoming these challenges. Stay strong, Himachal Pradesh!”, the Chief Minister tweeted earlier in the day.
Tourist vehicles that were stuck in Lahaul at night were also evacuated. “More than 300 tourist cars left for their destinations,” he said in another tweet.
Kullu Manali Road was opened on Tuesday evening and about 2,200 vehicles have crossed Kullu. Officials said there was no mobile phone signal in several areas in Manali and its suburbs over the past two days and tourists were unable to contact their families.
Ashish Sharma ASP (Kullu) said a check point has been installed where police collect details of (stranded) people and share them on our Facebook page. He said relief items are also being provided to them, and food and drinking water are being provided at Ramshila Chowk.
A large number of tourists were stuck in different parts of Kullu and Lahaul after landslides and flash floods blocked roads. They were housed in hotels, guesthouses, homestays, and other vacation destinations.
Several hotels and tourist units offered free accommodation and food to stranded tourists, and shared the addresses and contact numbers of their hotels on social media.
However, the vacation came as a nightmare for most of the tourists.
We had limited cash, mobile phone connection and electricity were out, ATMs were not working and hotel owners were adamant about paying. We told them that our relatives will pay online, but they said that cannot be done as there is no mobile connection,” said a tourist from Baroda.
A total of 873 roads remain closed to vehicular traffic, 1,956 diversions and 1,369 water supply schemes are down in the state according to the state’s Emergency Response Center. As many as 80 people have died in rain-related accidents and road accidents since the onset of the monsoon on June 24.
According to officials, bus services have been suspended on 1,193 Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) routes and 316 buses have been suspended en route.
Light to heavy rain fell in a few parts of the state on Wednesday with Daula Kwan recording 144.5mm, Renuka 87mm, Rekungpyo 42mm, Kotkhai 30mm, Hamirpur 16.5, Shimla 13.5, Dharamshala 13mm and Kalpa 10mm. The local MeT office issued a “yellow” warning for heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning on July 15 and 16 in the state and a wet spell is expected through July 18.
The chief minister said on Tuesday that all stranded tourists will be evacuated by Wednesday and claimed that the state has incurred losses estimated at around Rs 4,000 crore.
(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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