As many as 1166 pilgrims stranded during Mani Mahesh Yatra from Bharmour to Chamba, have been evacuated in a Chinook helicopter of the Indian Air Force, after flash floods in the Lake situated at 13390 feet on August 15.
Thousands of pilgrims were stuck at different places on route from Bharmour to Mani Mahesh Lake as a large number of devotees were trekking the route to take a dip in the lake on an auspicious occasion.
Seventeen pilgrims had died as reported by Deputy Commissioner Chamba Mukesh Repeswal.
“In the rescue operation 524 passengers were airlifted from Bharmour in 12 sorties of the IAF helicopter; three bodies were also evacuated to Chamba and sent to their places in HRTC buses on Friday ”, said a government spokesman.
The administration had provided security to pilgrims walking on foot to ensure their safety, besides providing drinking water and food and shelter at various places on the way.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu closely monitored the rescue operations while Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi was leading the entire operation at Bharmour.
Meanwhile NDRF, SDRF and local police and Home Guards teams continued the search operation to locate seven persons missing after two buildings collapsed in Akhara bazar Kullu on Thursday’s.
The CM also made an aerial survey of disaster affected areas of Kullu and Manali on Friday and interacted with affected people.
