Authorities begin airlifting people stranded in Zanskar region

The administration has started airlifting of people stranded in the Zanskar region due to a landslide on the Chadar trek route in Ladakh region.
"Following the directions of Governor N N Vohra, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has made arrangements for airlifting of people from Zanskar who have been stranded due to the stoppage of movement of people on the Chadar route," an official Raj Bhawan Spokesman said here today.
He said that the Air Force has carried out five sorties today, airlifting 47 passengers from Leh to Padum.
The movement on the Chadar trek route was stopped after reports were received about the blockage of river Phuktal due to a landslide.

As per available information, about 300 Padum-bound persons are stranded at Leh. The process of airlifting will continue for the next few days.
"Meanwhile the expert committee constituted by the Government of India, following a high-level review, is likely to visit the site of blockage over the next few days for dealing with the situation arising out of the landslide and consequential blockage of the river Phuktal in Zanskar Sub-Division of district Kargil," he said.