RESCUE workers on Thursday evacuated all 256 tourists stranded at Chandertal in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti for five days after snowfall blocked the road leading to the spot, officials said.Authorities claim to have shifted 60,000 tourists in the State to safer areas over the past four days.But 10,000 tourists stuck at different places in Kasol, Kheerganga and adjoining areas are refusing to trek to safety as they do not want to leave their cars behind, the officials said. The hill State has been battered by recent heavy rains that triggered landslides and flash floods, blocking roads and damaging properties.

 

Expert drivers were arranged to drive the tourist vehicles in the snowbound area. Food and medical supplies are provided to the tourists at Losar before taking them to Kaza and the superintendent of police is supervising the rescue operation, Lahaul and Spiti Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar told PTI. The distance between Chnadertal and Losar is about 32 km. Chandertal Lake in Spiti valley is a much sought after tourist destination where visitors stay in camps. The site has been used for shooting of several movies. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu termed the evacuation from Chandertal a “challenging task”. Over 250 people were stranded in Chandertal, while seven sick people, including two elderly and a girl, were airlifted to Bhunter on Tuesday.