Over 1,000 individuals saved from Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur areas in Himachal Pradesh, according to Shimla News.

★A total of 255 people, including 167 tourists, were rescued from Chandratal after five days.
★About 630 tourists in 175 vehicles were evacuated from Spiti valley via Sumdo and Kinnaur towards their destination.
★One hundred and eighteen tourists were evacuated from Sangla valley of Kinnaur district.

The rescue operation was particularly challenging in Chandratal as the entire area was covered under a thick blanket of snow. It took four days to clear the snow from the road and reach out to the stranded people.

Tourists expressed their gratitude towards the chief minister and the rescue team for safely bringing them to Batal after clearing the snow. They also praised the efforts of the district administration and police officials who kept them motivated during their time of distress.

The rescue convoy reached Chandratal early in the morning, braving sub-zero temperatures. The tourists were then taken towards Kaza in four batches, crossing the challenging Kunzum pass.

The rescue operation at Chandratal was successfully completed after 255 tourists were evacuated from the site in 57 vehicles.

The efforts of horticulture minister Jagat Singh Negi, chief parliamentary secretary Sanjay Awasthi, and the PWD authorities were lauded for their role in the rescue operation. Despite the challenging topography of the mountains, they managed to reach the stranded tourists with the help of three JCBs.

Due to the unavailability of safe landing sites, Air Force choppers were unable to land at Chandratal. However, the rescue teams overcame this challenge and successfully evacuated the stranded tourists.

The rescued people were brought to Kaza town in buses and other vehicles. The local people played a commendable role in the rescue operation, and the road was restored with the help of a dedicated JCB operator.

According to reports, about 175 vehicles and 630 tourists have safely left Spiti Valley.

The rescue operation at Sangla valley was also completed, with 118 individuals being rescued through six sorties. They will be further transhipped towards Shimla and Chandigarh.

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the Army Relief Camp at Choling and enquired about the well-being of the rescued people from Sangla.

The successful rescue operation in Himachal Pradesh showcased the dedication and efforts of the rescue teams and local authorities in ensuring the safety of stranded tourists.