Himachal: Sukhu lauds rescue work in state amid natural calamities, 75K tourists rescued

SHIMLA: Over a month ago, as a result of incessant rains followed by landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods, the state has been brought to its knees by the wrath of nature. Hundreds of lives were at stake and fear was about to overshadow hope. The unprecedented situation required an unprecedented response.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was swift to act and deploy men and machinery for rescue operations. He monitored the situation day and night. The next few days witnessed heroic tales amid the disaster. The heroes of the rescue operations made history by accomplishing the daunting task of rescuing around 75,000 tourists in less than a week.

“In these rescue operations, the cost for the rescuers was to put their own life at risk for the safe evacuation of each and every individual. All were brought back safely to their home” says the chief minister.

In what would be remembered as the most difficult and daring rescue operations in the history of Himachal, over 300 people, including over 260 tourists from outside the state, were rescued. They got stuck at the height of over 14,000 feet in Chandratal – around 86 kilometres away from Kaza – in over 4 feet of snow on July 9.

Knowing that the rescue could take days, the government first made sure that the stranded people had adequate camps, medical supplies, and other essential equipment. Seven people, including a minor, in need of urgent evacuation, were rescued from Chandratal by a chopper.

Next, the state government deployed five Persons Police Team, 10 Persons ITBP Team, 10 Persons Aapda Mitra Volunteer Team, and officials of local administration immediately to put the rescue plan into action.

In the next few days roads were cleared due to the extreme weather. Revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi and chief parliamentary secretary Sanjay Awasthi, led the government’s efforts in the last leg of the operation as they reached Chandratal to ensure that every single person was rescued before they left at the end of the successful operation.

The rescue team was informed that 50 persons were stranded at Batal and initiated their evacuation and brought them safely to Kaza. Acting on the information that another six persons were stranded in Batal, a rescue team was deployed and they were safely brought to Losar. The rescue lasted for five days and finally on July 13 the government breathed a sigh of relief as all the stranded were brought back safely.

Parts of the road connecting Sangla and Karcham in Kinnaur were so badly damaged that one could have easily said that roads never existed there. Around 125 tourists got stuck at Sangla on July 9.

The government stepped in for the rescue along with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Meanwhile, the authorities made arrangements to gather people together at a safe place in Sangla and ensured they had an adequate quota of essential supplies. It was on the 4th day, July 12, the weather permitted and IAF airlifted the stranded to drop them at a safe harbour.

In another incident, five people got stuck on the bank of the Giri River in Nahan, Sirmaur, on July 10. It was a long wait of around 24 hours before they were airlifted by an Army Helicopter on July 11.

In total, around 150 people were rescued with the use of helicopters in the state from July 9 to July 12.

Himachal Pradesh is an all-weather favourable destination for all types of tourism. Over a crore footfall of tourists is registered in the state every year. The natural beauty and hospitality of its residents attract tourists, not just from the country but from all over the world. Unfortunately, when the disaster struck the state a large number of foreign nationals were present all across the state.

The World Bank, in particular, praised the exemplary efforts of Chief minister Sukhu in effectively managing the calamitous events. These brave faces belonged to the IAF, Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Border Road Organisation, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Police, Home Guards, Fire Brigade, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, local people, state and district administration and representatives of the government.

This year as the chief minister will celebrate the 77th Independence Day at Kullu, the stories of bravery are bound to get refocused.