Snowstorm: disaster management panel formed to help stranded people

A disaster management committee was constituted on Sunday to help the people stranded in Manali and the relatives of those who lost their lives while crossing Rohtang Pass on foot after heavy snowfall two days ago.

Addressing the media here on Sunday,Kullu legislator Govind Singh Thakur said a large number of people from Lahaul valley were stranded in Manali and it was the responsibility of local residents to extend cooperation to the administration in providing lodging facilities to them.

The MLA thanked those who participated in the relief and rescue operations,particularly mentioning the hoteliers’ association,which provided 50 rooms for free stay.

A sum of Rs 15,000 each was released to the three seriously injured labourers and Rs 5,000 each to 12 labourers who sustained frost bites,said Manali Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajeshwer Goyal. He said the bodies of nine people who died in snowstorm and five stranded labourers would reach Manali from Marhi by late Sunday evening.