100 left stranded due to snowfall in Himachal Pradesh

Nearly 100 people, including state government officials, have been left stranded in Lahaul and Spiti since the past week due to heavy snowfall following which the district administration has arranged free food and lodging for the group.     

"District administration has arranged free fooding and lodging for about 80 people, mostly truck drivers and their assistants at Udaipur," deputy superintendent of police (Headquarters) Bhajan Dev Verma said today.

"The stranded, who were either going or returning from Pangi in Chamba district, have been stranded at Udaipur since November 9 when the Rohtang pass was closed after snowfall," the DSP said, adding similar facilities were provided to 20 others who were facing the same situation at Keylong.

Among those stranded at Keylong included some government officials, he said.
    
Situated at a height of 13,050 feet, Rohtang Pass has been closed since November 9 after it received untimely snowfall. Border Road Organisation, which has started clearing the road, has suspended work due to snowfall at regular intervals.

The General Administration Department has been urged to start helicopter service at the earliest to start relief works, he added.