INDIA: Tourists trapped in North after heavy snowfall blocks exit points

Record ID: 1377221

  • Title: INDIA: Tourists trapped in North after heavy snowfall blocks exit points
  • Date: 3rd January 2011
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) RAJIV RATHI, TOURIST FROM GURGAON, HARYANA, INDIA, SAYING: "We have been stranded here for the past two days. The snow is two feet high and we are unable to find a way out of this place." VEHICLES MOVING SLOWLY (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHARAN KAMAL, A TOURIST FROM GOA, SAYING: "We are in a big trouble here because of this snow. We have to reach Mandi (district) now so we are trying to get out of here as fast as possible." TOURISTS WALKING VEHICLES MOVING ON THE ROAD A VEHICLE DRIVES THROUGH THE SNOW
  • Embargoed: 18th January 2011 02:50
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India, India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Weather,Travel / Tourism
  • Reuters ID: LVA6PC5RZOW1BV01STVRDI2GOQ70
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Tourists who descended in northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh got trapped in the hilly region on Friday (December 31) after heavy snowfall blocked all exit points and created a massive traffic jam on the roads.
    Hundreds of tourists reached the hill station of Kullu-Manali region to enjoy the winters and usher into the New Year. However, several vehicles got stranded at Manali-Chandigarh National Highway after heavy snowfall. No casualty has been reported as most of them left their vehicles and hired rooms in various hotels on the outskirts of Manali till the snow clears out.
    "We have been stranded here for the past two days. The snow is two feet high and we are unable to find a way out of this place," said Rajiv Rathi, a tourist from Gurgaon in the north Indian state of Haryana.
    Snowfall of about two feet high has disrupted normal life and has reduced the number of tourists expected into Himachal Pradesh in the next few days.
    "We are in a big trouble here because of this snow. We have to reach Mandi (district) now so we are trying to get out of here as fast as possible," said Sharan Kamal, tourist from Goa.
    Electricity and road connectivity have also suffered due to excessive snowfall in the region.
    Meanwhile, the Border Road Organization and Public Work Department machinery have taken up the task of clearing the snow as soon as possible.
    Approximately 25,000 tourists arrived in Manali for New Year celebrations.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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