Over 150 stranded in Himachal hills
By IANSThursday, June 10, 2010
SHIMLA - Over 150 people, mostly tourists, have been stranded on the Manali-Keylong National Highway 21 since June 8 owing to heavy snowfall in the region, police said Thursday.
“More than 150 people have been stranded at Sissu, Losar and Darcha since the closure of the Manali-Keylong highway,” S.R. Rana, Lahaul and Spiti Superintendent of Police told IANS over phone from Keylong.
Two US nationals, two Malaysians and one NRI family from Britain were among those stranded.
“All are safe and they have been provided ration and other necessary items,” the official added.
The Rohtang Pass, located at an altitude of 13,050 feet, has also been closed for vehicular traffic due to the snowfall. It serves as a crucial road link between Manali and Keylong.
“The snow clearing operation was on and the entire highway, including the Rohtang Pass, is likely to be reopened for traffic by Friday evening,” S.K. Doon, commander of General Reserve Engineering Force’s (GREF) 38 Task Force posted at Manali, said.
The GREF is a wing of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) that looks after the maintenance of the highway.
