Himachal Pradesh: Indian Air Force Rescues Seven Trekkers From Near Chandratal Glacial Lake 

Chamba, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kinnaur are the main districts in Himachal Pradesh where tourists have been stuck due to poor weather conditions.

Indian Air Force rescues seven trekkers from near Chandratal glacial lake 

Source : @IAF_MCC/Twitter

Seven trekkers stuck near the Chandratal glacial lake in Himachal Pradesh were rescued by the the Indian Air Force (IAF). The rescue operation was undertaken by a helicopter under "marginal weather and near white out conditions" said the IAF on Wednesday. Taking to the microblogging site Twitter, the IAF wrote, "In a daring rescue operation, braving marginal weather and near white out conditions, an #IAF helicopter rescued seven trekkers from near the Chandratal glacial lake."  

The IAF also tweeted a picture of the rescue work that shows a few men standing far away with snow all around them.

In a daring rescue operation, braving marginal weather and near white out conditions, an #IAF helicopter rescued seven trekkers from near the Chandratal glacial lake.#HarKaamDeshKeNaam pic.twitter.com/akvrHsXcTs

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 12, 2023

 Chandratal lake is located in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.

Meanwhile, hundreds of tourists remain stranded in Himachal Pradesh as incessant rains continue to lash the state. More than 1,100 roads are still closed due to landslides and floods, reported news agency PTI.

Chamba, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kinnaur are the major districts where tourists have been stuck due to the weather conditions. However, people are now getting in touch with the police and the district administration after restoration of mobile network at some places. Several messages looking for the whereabouts of missing persons have also been shared on social media, reported the news agency.

According to Met Office, eight towns that include Manali, Solan, Rohru, Una, Ghamroor, Pachhad, Hamirpur and Keylong broke all-time record of single-day July rainfall, In four days, the districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti received rainfall equivalent to 43 per cent and 33 per cent of the entire monsoon season.

Heavy rainfall on Wednesday also led to eight deaths, taking the toll to 39 in the past four days.

Five people were killed in flash floods in Kullu while two people died in landslides in Sirmaur and Solan. One person was killed in an accidental drowning in Shimla district. The bodies were recovered on Wednesday, reported PTI,  state emergency operation centre.