8 stranded Israelis airlifted to Manali, Kaza from Pin valley

Of the eight foreigners, four were airlifted to Manali and two to Kaza today. The rest two had been airlifted yesterday to Kaza, an official spokesman said.

The tourists got stranded in Pin Valley after flash floods triggered by melting of glaciers along the Indo-Sino border cut off the main road connecting the area with Kaza town of Spiti region.

Meanwhile, a small artificial lake formed in the area due to obstruction of Pin river is causing anxiety among locals as its size and depth is increasing every day.

The district administration said there is no cause for alarm and all arrangements to evacuate people are in place.

The area of the lake at an altitude of 11,000-ft has increased to nearly 3.5 sq km and the depth to 20 to 30-ft and in case it bursts, downstream areas will be flooded, locals said.