114 Stranded Manimahesh Pilgrims Airlifted; 17 Rescued via Sach Pass
In a major rescue operation, the Himachal Pradesh government and the Chamba district administration, with the support of private aviation companies, airlifted 114 stranded Manimahesh pilgrims from Bharmour to Kariyan near Chamba town. From there, the pilgrims are being transported further by road.
Those evacuated included elderly devotees, the ailing, the injured, and others unable to undertake the arduous return journey. Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal said helicopter services were prioritized to ensure the safe return of vulnerable groups.
On Wednesday, nearly 85 pilgrims were rescued through 16 helicopter sorties, while by Thursday evening, another 29 had been airlifted. Of the total, 35 were critically ill. Rajs Aerosports and Himalayan Heli Services have been assisting the administration in the evacuation. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu earlier announced that the state government would bear the entire cost of the operation. So far, the district administration has managed to rescue around 15,000 pilgrims from Bharmour, while approximately 700 remain stranded.
To facilitate onward travel, nearly 7,000 pilgrims have been provided free bus services from Kalsui and Chamba to Pathankot, Nurpur, and Bhaderwah. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to bring back the bodies of four pilgrims who died during the Manimahesh Yatra and remain trapped in Kugti. They will first be taken to Bharmour and then transported by air.
Repaswal stressed that the safety and well-being of the pilgrims remain the administration’s top priority, with multiple departments working in coordination to provide transport, food, and security.
Between August 24 and 26, heavy rainfall devastated the Bharmour region, washing away roads and cutting off access. The disaster left thousands of pilgrims stranded during the annual Manimahesh Yatra, prompting large-scale rescue operations involving HRTC, NDRF, and now helicopter services.
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