Nine trekkers struck in Himachal hamlet

Nine trekkers, including income tax officials, mainly from New Delhi, are reportedly struck in the remote Bara Bhangal area in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district wjhich has become difficult to access due to bad weather, police said on Thursday.

The area has been witnessing rains and it is difficult for rescue teams to reach the spot, Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi told IANS.

He said since most trekking routes leading to Bara Bhangal are impassable due to rainfall, the helicopter is the only mode of transportation to reach there.

"If the weather is clear, the trekkers might be airlifted tomorrow (Friday)," he added.

Bara Bhangal is located at an altitude over 2,800 metres and had no road link. On foot, it is accessible through the Thamsar Pass, located at an attitude of 4,700 metres.

Deputy Commissioner Ritesh Chauhan said two or three trekkers got injuries while crossing the pass.

The trekkers have been staying in Bara Bhangal village and all are perfect in health. They started trek from Manali to Bara Bhangal almost a week back, he said.

Rescue officials say their staff will have to traverse at least three days on foot through inhospitable terrain from the the roadhead to reach Bara Bhangal.

The journey to Bara Bhangal, part of the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary which remains cut off from the rest of the world for over six months due to heavy snow, is 65 km from the last village connected by road.

Bara Bhangal has a population of around 400 people and during winter, most of them migrate to Bir village in Baijnath tehsil, near Palampur town, some 250 km from Shimla.

--IANS

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