September 23, 2008 :13,500 feet height Rohtang Pass has re-opened for vehicular traffic yesterday evening, which was suspended due to heavy snowfall on Friday night. This was disclosed by C. Palrasu, Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul Spiti here, today. He said that after opening of Rohtang Pass stranded vehicles at Lahaul area have moved forward Manali on priority basis.
Deputy Commissioner said that Boarder Road Organization was working to clear the snow from Keylong to Baralacha Top with war footing and said that the road will be cleared by today evening
He said that as per police reports, one person was died, who was identified as Chhering Dorje of Leh, was Truck Driver and was trapped in heavy snow. He said that the situation between Baralacha and Sarchu is under control and district administration has been taken all effective measures to secure the stranded people at Baralacha, Batal and Chhatru area.
Deputy Commissioner said that it has been observed that Foreigner Tracking groups from various countries are struck up in various tracking routes in Distric Lahaul Spiti, mainly at Chandertal, Batal, Chotta Dhara, Chikka Janskar due to heavy snow fall recorded from 3 feet to eight feet. He said that all these areas are totally inaccessible by road as will as on foot because all these places are 60 to 150 K.M. away from road side. The only means to evacuate and rescue these foreigners is small Chhoper likely Chetak etc. Deputy Commissioner said that district administration demanded to depute at least three or four helicopters, so that these foreigners could be rescued from inaccessible and remote areas.
Tehsildar Kaza Spiti Division intimated yesterday that Kunjam Jot Malling to Kaza and Lossar road is block for vehicular traffic. He said that nine foreigners, who were held up at Hurling left towards Kinnaur on foot.