Himachal CM oversees massive rescue of 1,166 Manimahesh pilgrims in Chamba

State evacuates over 1,100 stranded devotees using Air Force helicopters and buses amid severe weather disruption

NewsArc Bureau

Shimla, September 5, 2025 – Himachal Pradesh has successfully concluded a large-scale rescue operation that evacuated 1,166 pilgrims stranded during the Manimahesh Yatra, demonstrating coordinated disaster response capabilities amid challenging monsoon conditions. The multi-agency operation, personally overseen by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, utilized Indian Air Force helicopters and state transport resources to ensure safe evacuation from the high-altitude pilgrimage site.

Operation Scale and Coordination

The rescue mission represented one of the state’s most significant pilgrim evacuation efforts in recent years, responding to severe weather conditions that disrupted the annual yatra to the sacred Manimahesh Lake, situated at 13,500 feet in the Pir-Panjal mountain range.

Air Evacuation Operations

Indian Air Force Chinook helicopters conducted intensive airlift operations on Friday, completing 12 sorties that transported 524 pilgrims from Bharmour to Chamba. The helicopter operations also retrieved three bodies of pilgrims who had died during the yatra, highlighting the mission’s dual focus on evacuating both living devotees and recovering the deceased with dignity.

Earlier operations on Thursday involved smaller helicopters completing seven additional sorties to prioritize the evacuation of 35 elderly and medically vulnerable pilgrims, demonstrating the systematic approach to addressing the most at-risk populations first.

Ground Transportation Efforts

Complementing the aerial operations, ground-based evacuation efforts on Thursday successfully transported 607 pilgrims from Bharmour to Chamba via road routes, despite significant infrastructure damage. The challenging conditions required pilgrims to traverse certain damaged road sections on foot, with adequate police deployment ensuring their safety throughout the journey.

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) provided crucial support by deploying 13 buses late Thursday night to transport evacuated pilgrims free of charge to Nurpur and Pathankot, facilitating their onward journeys to home destinations.

Leadership and Coordination

Chief Minister Sukhu maintained direct oversight of the operation, establishing continuous communication channels with field officials to monitor progress and address emerging challenges. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi led ground operations in Bharmour, personally coordinating logistics and ensuring systematic evacuation procedures.

The collaborative approach involved multiple agencies including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police personnel, home guards, district administration officials, various government departments, non-governmental organizations, and volunteers.

Comprehensive Support Services

Essential Services Provision

The state government implemented comprehensive support measures ensuring no pilgrim faced shortages of basic necessities. Community kitchens established in Kalsui, Dharwala, and Dakhog provided regular meals, while drinking water and essential supplies were distributed throughout the evacuation process.

Free transportation services extended beyond the immediate rescue operation, with the state providing complimentary bus services to nearly 7,000 pilgrims from Kalsui and Chamba to destinations including Pathankot, Nurpur, and Bhaderwah since August 30.

Infrastructure Recovery Efforts

Parallel to evacuation operations, the Chamba administration deployed heavy machinery to restore road connectivity, particularly focusing on NH-154A that connects Chamba to Bharmour. These restoration efforts continue despite ongoing weather challenges, with debris clearance operations working to reestablish normal transportation links.

Broader Rescue Context

The current operation represents part of a larger evacuation effort that has assisted over 6,000 pilgrims since August 30, when adverse weather conditions first suspended normal yatra activities. The scale reflects both the popularity of the Manimahesh pilgrimage and the severity of this year’s monsoon-related disruptions.

Weather-Related Challenges

The rescue became necessary following heavy rainfall, landslides, and flash floods that severely impacted the pilgrimage route and stranded thousands of devotees. The extreme weather conditions, characterized as among the worst monsoon-related crises in recent years, required coordinated response across multiple government levels and agencies.

Financial and Logistical Commitment

The state government demonstrated significant financial commitment by covering all costs associated with helicopter services and transportation, prioritizing pilgrim safety over economic considerations. This approach particularly benefited vulnerable populations, including elderly pilgrims and those with medical conditions who received priority evacuation status.

Ongoing Operations

While the major evacuation has concluded, recovery efforts continue with operations to retrieve four remaining bodies stranded at Kugti. This ongoing work underscores the administration’s commitment to comprehensive resolution of the crisis, ensuring no pilgrim or casualty is left unaccounted for.

Official Response and Recognition

Speaking from Kullu, Chief Minister Sukhu praised the coordinated response, specifically acknowledging Minister Negi’s field leadership and the collective efforts of all participating agencies. “The collective commitment to saving lives and ensuring pilgrim welfare is commendable,” Sukhu stated, emphasizing the successful provision of free transportation and essential services. The Chief Minister highlighted the operation as evidence of the state’s robust disaster response capabilities and commitment to pilgrim