In Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, 413 pilgrims were stranded due to a sudden flash flood on the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra route. A joint team of ITBP and NDRF conducted a rescue operation and safely evacuated everyone. The crisis was deepened by a large portion of the travel route being washed away.
Kailash Yatra: A sudden flash flood during the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh increased the difficulties for pilgrims. Due to heavy rains, the water level in the Tangling area rose to a dangerous level, causing a large part of the travel route to be washed away and hundreds of devotees to get stuck along the way. In this hour of crisis, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) demonstrated unparalleled dedication and promptness, safely rescuing 413 pilgrims so far.
Travel Route Collapsed, Temporary Bridges Also Washed Away
The Meteorological Department was constantly issuing warnings, but no one knows when the mood of the monsoon will turn into havoc in the mountains. Due to heavy rains on Tuesday night, two temporary bridges in the Tangling area were washed away, completely disrupting the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra. Hundreds of passengers, including the elderly, women, and young devotees, were stranded on both sides due to the route being broken. After the natural disaster, the local administration immediately alerted the ITBP. Given the seriousness of the situation, the 17th Battalion of ITBP was deployed for relief and rescue operations.
Rescue Operation: An Amazing Combination of Technology and Training
ITBP personnel used their special traverse crossing technique to help the passengers cross one by one. In this technique, people were safely evacuated across the fast-flowing stream with the help of ropes and mountaineering equipment. The rescue team included a gazetted officer, four subordinate officers, and 29 other personnel. Also, a 14-member team of NDRF also participated in this campaign. With the coordinated efforts of both the parties, 413 pilgrims were safely taken to safe places.
ITBP's Tweet and the Role of Administration
Sharing information about this operation on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, ITBP said that 'Two temporary bridges on the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra route were washed away due to heavy rains, due to which many pilgrims were stranded. On the request of DC Kinnaur, our team was dispatched under the leadership of AC/GD Sameer with special equipment.' The administration provided all possible cooperation to ITBP and the rescue operation was expedited. DC Kinnaur, local police, and health department teams were also present on the spot.
Search is Still On
On Wednesday morning, the administration received information about more passengers being stranded, after which the rescue team left for the spot again. The rescue operation remains challenging due to the hilly terrain and bad weather, but the ITBP and NDRF teams are working with dedication. Currently, the rescue operation is going on and every precautionary step is being taken so that no one is left behind.
Help from Local People Too
Local villagers also supported the administration in this hour of crisis. In many places, people arranged their resources such as ropes, bamboo, and food and provided relief to the stranded passengers. This participation of the villagers is proof that humanity remains alive even in disaster.
Experience of the Pilgrims
Many of the rescued pilgrims expressed their gratitude to the ITBP in conversations with the media. A female pilgrim said, 'We were all very scared. The road was completely closed and the flow of water was very fast. ITBP personnel safely evacuated us one by one without fear. Their courage and service are unforgettable.' Disaster management experts say that there is a possibility of such incidents during monsoon. It is very important to get weather information and follow administrative instructions before traveling in hilly areas.
