Four emergency centres in Lahaul to tackle winter woes

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, November 12

To deal with winter crisis in tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti effectively, the district administration has decided to set up four emergency centres in the district to provide emergency services to the public.

Talking to The Tribune here today, Deputy Commissioner Lahaul-Spiti Vivek Bhatia said, “This year, we have decided to set up four emergency operation centres in the district to provide immediate assistance to people in the winter when the district receives heavy snowfall and becomes prone to avalanches.”

“The district authorities have set up a disaster management centre at Keylong, where people can call helpline number 1077 in case of emergency and immediate help will be provided” he added.

“All necessary equipment have been provided to deal with disaster-like situation. The remaining emergency operation centres will be established soon. These will be equipped with proper facilities, which will help the authorities deliver services effectively whenever needed,” he remarked.

This year, for the first time, the district administration has decided to set up rescue huts at Rohtang Pass and Gramphu. These will have facilities like food and fuel, because it was observed that during winters people got trapped in snow-bound areas near Rohtang Pass and the Gramphu region for hours or days together, when they tried to cross the area on foot or in their vehicle.

The district administration is mulling a satellite phone for the remote Miyar valley of district, which remains cut off due to lack of communication after heavy snowfall.

“We will provide walkie-talkie sets to our rescue teams at Koksar for effective communication”, he added.

The DC also urged people to stock foodgrain and fuel for domestic use to avoid any trouble and directed officials of police, fire and other departments to ensure coordination to provide effective service to the public.

Every year 13050-feet high mighty Rohtang Pass is closed at the onset of winters owing to safety concerns of tourists as well as locals. In winters, Rohtang receives sudden snowfall putting life at risk.