Himachal Pradesh government has sent two teams to help stranded shepherds at the remote Bara Bhangal area under Baijnath subdivision of Kangra district.

Informing about this, Chief Secretary BK Agarwal said government had sent two teams to help shepherds who were stranded due to poor road conditions and early snowfall in September.

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“The team which was left from Baijnath on Friday had reached Holi and today the team have left for Bara Bhangal,” he said. He said that Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had expressed concern over the difficulties being faced by the shepherds stranded due to heavy and unpredicted snowfall, in a meeting held in Shimla recently. Thakur had issued necessary directions for their rescue, shelter and assistance.

Since it was not possible to land helicopter in this area, he directed to find out alternative arrangements to protect the shepherds at the earliest, he said.

Agarwal said Deputy Commissioner Kangra Sandeep Kumar after forming rescue team immediately sent them for the task. The team comprised of Patwari of Bara Bhangal, four mountaineers crew and three local people who were expert and familiar with the path.

“20 pairs of long shoes had also been sent with the team. If shepherds will be in a need of economic assistance, the money had also been sent so that they do not face any difficulty,” he said. He said that the team would camp in Bara Bhangal area and will remain in constant contact with the shepherds and also be in regular contact with the administration to appraise time to time situation.

Chief Secretary said that the second team of 15 members including three trainers from mountaineering Institute Manali and 12 local people would leave for Bara Bhangal on 14 October. This team will depart from Multhan towards Muraldhar-Thamsar and the team had been provided with adequate eatables and blankets, he said, adding the team will try to trace the dead body of a shepherd and bring it back.

He said that district administration Kangra had been issued directions to keep continuous vigil on the situation of Bara Bhangal and adequate eatables were being provided to shepherds.