Subhash Mahajan
Chamba: As many as 16 pilgrims have lost their lives during the annual Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba’s Bharmour in Himachal Pradesh, which began on Janmashtami and continued through Radhashtami, due to extreme weather conditions and natural disasters in the region.
According to Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal, nearly 15,000 devotees were stranded at various points along the pilgrimage route due to relentless rainfall and landslides. Of them, around 10,000 have been safely evacuated, while approximately 5,000 remain stuck in difficult terrain, including areas like Gaurikund and Dhancho.
Rescue and relief operations are ongoing, with close to 500 personnel from NDRF, SDRF, police, Home Guard and even local shopkeepers from Kugti and Bharmour assisting in the evacuation. Authorities have issued strict orders for all personnel and pilgrims to return by Monday or Tuesday.
The Deputy Commissioner also stated that the district has suffered extensive damage due to the heavy rains and has urged the public not to spread misinformation on social media. He warned that legal action (FIRs) will be taken against those found spreading rumours.
On Sunday alone, over 3,500 pilgrims were rescued from Bharmour. Despite the massive efforts, 4,000 to 5,000 devotees are still believed to be stuck between Hadsar, Chamba and Bharmour. To aid evacuation, the district administration deployed 26 HRTC buses along with other vehicles to transport pilgrims to Pathankot, Kangra and other safer locations.
In areas where road transport is not feasible, pilgrims are being guided on foot from Bharmour to Janghi, from where free HRTC buses, private buses, school buses, taxis and goods carriers are helping transport them to safer locations in various districts, including Kangra, Una and Mandi.
