12 tourists rescued from Raghupur Fort in Kullu amid heavy snowfall
In view of the adverse weather conditions, an advisory has been issued for the Banjar-Jibhi-Sojha region. Meanwhile, 3,330 cusecs of water will be released from the Pandoh Dam into the Beas River.
“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,” a senior officer said.
(file) Twelve tourists stranded amid heavy snow near Raghupur Fort in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district were safely rescued on Saturday by locals, officials confirmed.
According to the District Police Control Room (DPCR), Kullu, the rescue operation was carried out around Saturday noon. Officials said the tourists were visiting the Raghupur Fort area when they were caught in heavy snowfall due to deteriorating weather conditions.
“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,” a senior officer said.
In view of the prevailing adverse weather conditions and poor road status in the Banjar–Jibhi–Sojha–Jalori belt, the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Banjar, issued a public advisory. Vehicular movement is permitted only up to Ghiyagi, while tourists have been advised to restrict their stay to Jibhi and Ghiyagi, as per the advisory. The administration has also strictly warned against unnecessary travel and trekking activities until weather and road conditions improve.
All stakeholders have been urged to cooperate fully with the administration. Copies of the advisory have been forwarded to the authorities in Banjar, including the sub-divisional police officer, tehsildar, station house officer, and the assistant engineer, National Highway (NH), Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department, with directions to display the advisory prominently along NH 305 between Aut and Jalori Pass.
Meanwhile, in Karsog subdivision in Mandi district, restoration work on roads blocked due to rain and snowfall is continuing at a war footing. Gaurav Mahajan, SDM, Karsog, said, “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.”
Separately, officials also confirmed that 3,330 cusecs of water will be released from the Pandoh Dam into the Beas River on Saturday, as water levels in the reservoir have risen following continuous rainfall over the past 36 hours. Authorities said the release is being carried out as a precautionary measure.
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