Twelve Tourists Safely Rescued from Raghupur Fort in Kullu Amid Heavy Snowfall
In a dramatic rescue operation, twelve tourists who were stranded near Raghupur Fort in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district were successfully rescued by local residents on Saturday, officials confirmed. The incident occurred as heavy snowfall and deteriorating weather conditions trapped the visitors in the remote area.
Rescue Operation Details
According to the District Police Control Room (DPCR) in Kullu, the rescue was carried out around noon on Saturday. The tourists had been visiting the Raghupur Fort area when they were caught in unexpected heavy snowfall, which rapidly worsened the situation. A senior officer stated, "Six locals promptly stepped in and successfully rescued all 12 tourists, who were later escorted safely and are now proceeding towards Sojha via Jibhi. No injuries were reported." This swift action by the community highlights the critical role of local knowledge and responsiveness in such emergencies.
Travel Advisory Issued for Banjar-Jibhi-Sojha Region
In response to the adverse weather conditions and poor road status in the Banjar–Jibhi–Sojha–Jalori belt, the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Banjar has issued a public advisory. The advisory restricts vehicular movement to only up to Ghiyagi and advises tourists to limit their stay to Jibhi and Ghiyagi. Authorities have strictly warned against unnecessary travel and trekking activities until weather and road conditions improve. Copies of the advisory have been forwarded to various local authorities, including the sub-divisional police officer and the assistant engineer of the National Highway, with instructions to display it prominently along NH 305 between Aut and Jalori Pass.
Road Restoration Efforts in Mandi District
Meanwhile, in the Karsog subdivision of Mandi district, restoration work on roads blocked due to rain and snowfall is being carried out at a war footing. Gaurav Mahajan, SDM of Karsog, emphasized, "PWD machinery has been deployed continuously to reopen affected roads. Priority is being given to restoring the Shimla–Mandi road, which connects Karsog to the district headquarters and Shimla, along with other snowbound routes." This effort underscores the administration's commitment to maintaining connectivity in the challenging Himalayan terrain.
Water Release from Pandoh Dam
In a related development, officials confirmed that 3,330 cusecs of water will be released from the Pandoh Dam into the Beas River on Saturday. This release is a precautionary measure, as water levels in the reservoir have risen following continuous rainfall over the past 36 hours. Authorities stated that this action is necessary to manage reservoir capacity and prevent potential flooding risks in the region.
The combination of rescue operations, travel advisories, and infrastructure management reflects the ongoing challenges posed by severe weather in Himachal Pradesh, urging tourists and residents alike to exercise caution and cooperate with administrative directives.
