Airlifting of People Stranded in Ladakh Begins

Jammu, Jan 25 (IANS) Airlifting of people stranded in Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region, due to the landslide blockade of a river, began Sunday, the state government said.

"Following the directions of Governor N.N. Vohra, the divisional commissioner, Kashmir has made arrangements for airlifting of people from Zanskar who have been stranded due to the stoppage of movement of people on the Chadar route," said an official statement here.

It said the Indian air force carried out five sorties Sunday), airlifting 47 passengers from Leh to Padum (Zanskar) and back.

"The movement on the Chadar trek route to Zanskar was stopped after reports were received about the blockage of river Phuktal due to a landslide.

"As per available information, about 300 Padum-bound persons are stranded at Leh. The process of airlifting will continue in the next few days," it added.

The statement also said that the expert committee constituted by the central government, following a high level review, is likely to visit the site of blockage over the next few days for dealing with the situation arising out of the landslide and consequential blockage of the river Phuktal in Zanskar subdivision of district Kargil.