Teams formed to rescue shepherds in Kangra

SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday formed two teams to rescue shepherds who were stranded in Bara Bhangal area of Kangra district following a sudden snowfall.

State chief secretary (CS) BK Agarwal informed that the state government had sent two teams to help stranded shepherds at Bara Bhangal. One of the two teams had left from Baijnath on Friday. This team reached Holi and has left for Bara Bhangal on Saturday. The other team will leave for Bara Bhangal on Sunday, he said.

There are nearly 150 stranded shepherds along with 15,000 livestock in Bara Bhangal.

The CS said that chief minister Jai Ram Thakur had issued necessary directions for their rescue, shelter and assistance.

Since it was not possible to land helicopter in this area, hence the chief minister had directed us to find alternative arrangements to protect the shepherds at the earliest, he added.

He said the team would camp in Bara Bhangal area and would remain in constant contact with the shepherds and the administration and in case shepherds are in a need of any economic assistance, the money has also been sent.

The second team of 15 members, including three trainers from Mountaineering Institute Manali and 12 local people will leave for Bara Bhangal on Sunday, he said adding this team will depart from Multhan towards Muraldhar-thamsar.

The team had been provided with adequate eatables and blankets, he said, adding that it will try to trace the body of a shepherd who died there reportedly a few weeks ago, he added.