45 stranded IIT students in Lahaul, Spiti are safe: CM

More than 300 are stranded, including Forty-five students from Roorkee’s Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) who had gone for trekking in mountainous districts of Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh (HP) are safe, HP government official said.

Owing to heavy rains and snowfall, some of the roads at Rohtang pass were blocked, due to that some 300 people including these 55 trekkers got stranded, Keylong Sub Divisional Magistrate Amar Negi told Economic Times.

According to the report, two helicopters help was sought to rescue those who have been stranded in Lahaul and Spiti district. Stranded people provided with shelter and foods by the district administration.

According to Amar Negi, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur is likely to visit affected Lahaul and Spiti in the evening to take stock of the situation, arising due to heavy snowfalls.

Father of a student Rajvir Singh told ANI that, “The group had gone for a trek to the Hampta pass and were supposed to return to the popular tourist hub of Manali. However, they have been unable to contact the group so far.”

Himachal is reeling under heavy rains and snowfall for many days. Due to heavy rains and snowfall in several areas, at least five people have been killed and several injured. The heavy downpour was reported in Kullu, Kangra and Chamba district on Monday.

“Four people, including a girl, died in Kullu, while a man died in Kangra district as heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides in many parts of the state Monday,” reported ANI.

Schools have been advised to remain closed in the affected areas, including Kangra and Hamirpur district on Tuesday as a precautionary measure. Due to incessant rain, water level in many rivers have increased, a man was swept by the swelling Nahad Khad (rivulet) in Kangra, the district administration said.

Several residential houses were also swept away in flash floods as the Beas river have crossed dangerous level, Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur have cautioned people from going near rivers and high drains.

The district administration announced,  ‘high alert’ in Kullu where initial loss of property in the recent rain has been estimated at over Rs 20 crores.  All adventurous sports activities, including paragliding have been banned in Kullu, district Tourism Development Officer BS Negi told ANI.

Also read: 35 students among 45 trekkers missing in Lahaul and Spiti