By IANS,
Srinagar : The Indian Air Force (IAF) has rescued 61 people trapped in a partially frozen river in the cold desert Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir Friday.
Amir Ali, officer on special duty at the divisional headquarters and in charge of the disaster management cell, told IANS: “The divisional administration requested help from the IAF to rescue 61 persons who were travelling from Leh town to Zanskar.”
The travelers normally travel over the frozen Chadder river between Leh and Zanskar (around 70 km which takes one and a half days on foot) this time of the year as extreme cold keeps all water bodies frozen rock solid during the winter months.
“Unfortunately, portions of the river melted after the travelers had covered some 30 km on foot,” he said.
“Two IAF helicopters were pressed into service to rescue the 61 people. The IAF personnel used ropes etc. to rescue the trapped persons.
“All of them have now reached Zanskar safely.”
The civil administration has been seeking IAF and army assistance during the winter months to rescue persons trapped in avalanches and also those stranded in Srinagar and Jammu cities because of continued blockades of the Srinagar-Jammu highway.