Rescue operations on for stranded trekkers, tourists at Sandakphu trails

Darjeeling, Dec 30: Rescue and evacuation operations continued for the second day on Thursday as some 200 travellers, including trekkers have been stranded on the Sandakphu region in northern West Bengal after massive snowfall enveloped the trails, official sources said.
The Darjeeling district police authorities aided by NGOs and Singalila Landrover Association have been making every effort for a safe return of the stranded travellers, according to SLA secretary Chandan Pradhan.
According to him, about 163 people were stranded at Tumling – a tiny hamlet in the eastern Himalayas located at an altitude of 9,600 ft. Fourteen each are stranded at Tonglu and Lamedhura, comparatively a lower region, for the past three days.
Pradhan said 90 Landrover vehicles have been pressed into service to clear the snow on the roads leading to Maneybhanjang.
“We expect every stranded tourist to be evacuated safely up to Maneybhanjang,” said Pradhan,
Sandakphu, a popular trekkers trail, can be reached from Manebhanjan via Chitre, Lamedhura, Meghma, Tonglu, Tumling, Garibas, Kalipokhri and Bikebhanjan. The last is a small transit town located at the gateway of the Singalila National Park, 28 km away from Darjeeling town.
As the thick layer of falling snow covered the upper regions and Darjeeling town, the district police on Wednesday issued a travel advisory saying driving on the roads could be hazardous.
“Those stuck at Sandakphu, Tonglu and nearby areas are advised to stay at their respective homestays or accommodations.
Local police, along with SSB, is exploring all the possibilities to rescue them at the earliest,”
the advisory said as scores of tourists and trekkers in the Himalayan trails have been stranded following snowfall.