Rohtang Pass and Baralacha La received their first snowfall of the season on Friday. The roads have become slippery due to frost and this is likely to bear more problems in the coming days. In the wake of these events, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has put a halt on its bus service on the Manali-Leh Highway.
A similar incident of unexpected snowfall had left over 4,000 tourists stranded in Lahaul-Spiti last year in September. Thus, the decision to suspend the bus service is well thought of and issued in the interest of public’s safety.
The Manali-Leh Highway passes through the Rohtang Pass and Baralacha La in Lahaul-Spiti district and is already posing problems for commuters. Every year, the Lahaul-Spiti police set up a rescue post at Sarchu to check and manage the movement of vehicles between Himachal and Leh. However, due to heavy snowfall, this post has now been removed. Another police check post from the Chandratal Lake has also been removed since the area is prone to heavy snowfall. The absence of a police post in these crucial places poses possible difficulties for travellers in gaining access to the states as well as in seeking help in times of need.
Keylong SDM, Amar Singh Negi commented on the same, stating that travellers should be cautious while commuting on the said route.
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