The 13,050-foot high Rohtang Pass,which connects Manali in Kullu district to Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti,was reopened for traffic on Sunday. The pass had closed down last week after higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh witnessed snowfall on June 8 and 9. Many vehicles and nearly 150 tourists travelling on the Manali-Keylong National Highway-21 had been stranded at various locations for nearly a week. No loss of life was reported as all were able to find shelters till the roads reopened. The stranded tourists,including foreigners,were putting up at Sissu,Losar and Darcha. Light movement of vehicles had started by Saturday evening,while many made their way to Manali on Sunday. General Reserve Engineering Force Commander S K Doon said the road connectivity between Baralacha Pass and Sarchu in Lahaul-Spiti would also be restored soon. 80 stranded between Batal and KoksarNearly 80 people are stranded between Batal and Koksar,75 kilometres from here,as it suddenly snowed around two feet on Saturday. After a recee of the area by air,Superintendent of Police,Lahaul-Spiti,S R Rana said nearly 50 people,including 30 students from Mumbai,were seen stranded in Batal. He added that several tourists,including a few foreigners,were stuck in Chottadara and Dadarpul. Rana said 15 people were rescued to Koksar from Chhattru on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner Ritesh Chauhan said 17 children,women and those who had fallen sick were airlifted to Koksar from Batal. He said that everybody was safe. Rana said the road between Chhattru and Koksar would be opened by Monday but the 35-km stretch between Batal and Chhattru may take more time.
