Rohtang No-Pass Due To Heavy Snowfall: Traffic Movement Halted For Winter

Traffic movement between Manali and Lahaul has been halted for winter on Monday (12 November) due to heavy snowfall in the Rohtang pass, The Tribune has reported.

Every year due to snowfall the Rohtang pass is officially closed on 15 November but owing to early snowfall this year, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which maintains the road, has pulled back its machinery and workforce early from the area.

A BRO official told the paper that more than 60 cm snow was recorder in Rohtang pass in two days due to which road had turned slippery and Frost deposition had started on the ground which could have proven risky for those travelling on the route.

District administration, in order to help villagers who could get trapped while trying to cross the Rohtang pass on foot due to closing of vehicular traffic, has set up two rescue posts at Koksar and Marhi on the Manali-Leh highway.

During winter days, when the pass is closed, residents of Lahaul-Spiti shuttle between Lahaul and Manali via Rohtang pass on foot.

Ashwani Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Lahaul-Spiti said that 10 persons have been deployed for rescue of trapped villagers at the two rescue posts.

Villagers had been advised to ensure their registration at each while coming from Manali and heading towards Lahaul, DC said.

It is being done to ensure immediate help in case someone gets trapped while crossing the area on foot.

Depending on the weather condition, the rescue posts will be removed earlier or on 31 December.