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Lahaul-Spiti Women Showcase Himalayan Hospitality by Providing Food and Shelter to Flood-Affected Tourists and Truck Drivers
Shimla, Updated At : 20:38 PM Aug 29, 2025 IST
Amid the devastating floods in Lahaul-Spiti, women from the region have exemplified true Himalayan hospitality by offering food and shelter to stranded tourists and truck drivers. Their timely support became a lifeline for hundreds caught in the natural calamity.
The Sissu Mahila Mandal set up a community kitchen (langar) to provide meals to stranded travelers and drivers. Between August 25 and 27, the tribal district witnessed continuous heavy rainfall, resulting in widespread devastation. Landslides and flash floods blocked National Highway-3 and several connecting roads, leaving tourists, residents, and commuters trapped in remote areas.
Responding swiftly, the district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority Kiran Bhadana, launched coordinated relief and rescue operations. The efforts brought together the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Public Works Department (PWD), police, local women’s groups, voluntary organizations, and community members.
On the first day, cooked meals were distributed to those stranded in Keylong, while the Sissu Mahila Mandal expanded efforts by organizing a langar. Dry rations, blankets, quilts, and sleeping bags were also provided as essential relief supplies.
In critical medical cases, three seriously ill patients, including a pregnant woman, were rescued and taken to the Regional Hospital in Keylong, and later shifted to the Kullu Regional Hospital with medical teams ensuring care throughout evacuation.
The Deputy Commissioner highlighted several key rescue operations:
250–300 people stranded between Pagal Nala and Teling Nala.
148 passengers in 107 vehicles stuck between Jispa and Stingri.
80–90 individuals stranded near Udaipur.
All were provided with food and temporary shelter by the administration. A group of 13 students and 4 teachers from Kolkata were accommodated at the PWD rest house in Keylong.
Efforts to trace missing persons also yielded results. Three pilgrims from Mooring village en route to Manimahesh were located—one returned home safely, while the other two continued their journey with local shepherds depending on weather conditions.
Additionally, a special rescue team was dispatched to the Miyar Valley to evacuate 30–35 stranded Gaddis (nomadic shepherds).
Deputy Commissioner Bhadana confirmed that essential services were restored on a war footing:
Telecom services resumed on August 27.
Power supply restored the following day.
BRO and PWD teams worked round the clock to reopen blocked roads, with several key routes already cleared.
Despite adverse weather and challenging terrain, DC Kiran Bhadana personally visited affected areas, inspected relief operations, boosted the morale of frontline workers, and coordinated with departments to ensure timely restoration of electricity, water, and mobile connectivity.
