Shimla, Oct 18 : Due to heavy snowfall in Lahaul Spiti, Darcha, Shinkula and Jaskar, various routes like Koksar to Losar and Losar to Chandratal, Kunzum Pass routes have been completely closed till further orders, Deputy Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said here on Monday.
DC said that around two feet snow has been recorded on Baralacha top on Manali-Leh road and keeping in view the inclement weather condition, it would take at least 48 hours for the administration to open the highway.
He said that nine persons stranded at Darcha on Darcha-Shrinkula
highways have been evacuated after opening the road. However, 11 people who are stranded at Batal on Gramphu-Kaza road are staying in Batal at an eatery.
DC said that 11 persons stranded at Batal are occupants of a car who could not move ahead as their car ran out of fuel and got stranded due to the inclement weather condition.
Mr Kumar urged all the people of the district and tourists to avoid venturing in the high altitude and low temperature areas keeping possibility of more snowfall.
He said that people should avoid unnecessary travel and stay at safe places due to unfavorable weather conditions advisioning citizens to not take any kind of risk.
The administration has requested all the Gram Panchayat heads, NGOs, trackers and pedestrians that in case of any natural calamity incident, they can contact the District District Disaster Management Center’s telephone number 94594-61355, 01900-202509, 510, with immediate effect. More emergency toll free numbers include 517, 1077.
Deputy Commissioner also appealed to the general public to refrain from coming to the high altitude areas and in case of any calamity contact on the numbers of the administration.
