The 13,050ft high Rohtang Pass, which normally opens for pedestrians by March 15 is still covered under thick blanket of snow. And according to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, there is another Western Disturbance coming up in Jammu and Kashmir on March 24, which could again give light to moderate snowfall in the region and further delay the opening of the pass. Till then the people of Kullu and Lahaul have to depend on emergency Helicopter services.
According to media reports, the administration of Lahaul-Spiti sees a big risk in opening the pass and setting up of posts at Marhi and Koksar right now as heavy late snowfall has made the pass more vulnerable. These posts, manned by mountaineers, rescue experts, wireless operators, police and medical facilities, ensure that each person crosses the dangerous snow-bound pass safely by registering him at both posts on either side of the mountain.
In an interview to a leading English Daily, Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Hans Raj Chauhan has said that depending on the weather conditions, rescue posts will be established by the administration. The people living in Kullu and Lahaul start crossing the Rohtang pass soon after the rescue posts are established. The people take for granted that search and rescue teams will come to their help once the posts are establiehd. Therefore it is vital that the administration waits for the weather to clear and takes all necessary steps to avoid any eventuality.
Notably there is another weather system expected to come up on March 27-28 and give good weather activity in the hills in terms of rain and snow. Rohtang could witness good snowfall during this period, which could further delay the opening of the pass.
