IAF, NDRF rescue 228 people stranded in snow-bound Himachal

Shimla: Coming to the rescue of those stranded in snow-bound parts of Himachal, the IAF and NDRF have rescued over 200 people from Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu on Monday, informed Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur here at a cabinet's meeting.

 He said that the state has rendered a loss of more than Rs 230 crore so far and there is the report of the death of persons due to the incessant and heavy rains in the state.He also informed in the Cabinet that 120 stranded persons were rescued from Koksar in Lahaul-Spiti, 

23 from Marhi and 31 from Rohtang (Kullu). Apart from it 33 persons stranded at Phojal in Kullu were also rescued. Out of these, 214 persons were rescued by Air Force and 14 persons were rescued by adopting other means. Talking to media before the meeting, Mr Thakur said that Shimla, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba districts were worst hit by the heavy rainfall, rendering massive loss to property and rescued and rehabilitation are being launched on the war footing
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Chief Minister said that NDRF  helicopter rescued marooned 19 people on Sunday however the continued rough weather condition in the state has been hampering the flights of choppers and people are still stranded in some places. 

As many as 45 vehicles were retrieved from Koksar in Lahaul-Spiti. Similarly, 600 students and teachers were shifted from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyala Chamba and 100 students from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Mehla in Chamba district. In addition to this, three families of Rakh in Chamba district were also shifted to PWD Rest House.

The Cabinet was also apprised that 12 tourists from Sikkim State have been evacuated from Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti to a Hotel at Keylong.Due to heavy rains on 23rd and 24th September, 60 sheep/goats died due to landslide at Bharmour.(UNI)