MANALI: Five people, including four tourists from Maharashtra, had a narrow escape when two vehicles were struck by an avalanche near Teling nullah of Lahaul valley on the Manali-Leh national highway on Wednesday evening. With the avalanche covering the road, nearly 250 vehicles were stuck on either side of the debris.
According to police, the avalanche was reported about 4.15 pm after which the road was blocked for traffic movement. A tourist taxi from Shimla (HP-01-A-8248) was completely buried under the debris and damaged. Fortunately, the five occupants of the vehicle, including the driver and four tourists from Maharashtra, were rescued. The driver sustained minor injuries. Another vehicle was also trapped in debris but did not suffer much damage.
Lahaul-Spiti superintendent of police (SSP) Manav Verma said the taxi was pulled out after removing snow with the help of shovels.
"The tourists were identified as Vishal Balasaheb Gadave, Shankar Apuane, Pratiksha Apuane and Gauri Gadve from Kurduvadi area of Maharashtra's Solapur district, and the driver as Deep Kumar. Later police stopped the traffic from both sides at the north portal of Atal tunnel and Sissu village," the officer said.
According to the SP, the Border Roads Organisation team rushed to clear the debris on a war footing and traffic was restored in a short time.
Police have requested tourists not to stop between Atal tunnel and Sissu to take selfies as more avalanches are predicted.
Atal tunnel and Lahaul valley are now open for tourists. Hundreds of tourists are thronging Lahaul valley every day and most of them stop near nullahs and deep valleys on the highway where snow is available in abundance.
Before this, a massive avalanche had blocked the highway at Pagal nullah, next to Teling nullah, on Tuesday evening. Traffic was restored on the highway in the late evening.
