400 people rescued from Khardungla pass in Leh

Leh: As many as 400 people were rescued from Khardungla pass, world’s highest motorable road, after they were stuck due to heavy snowfall resulting in landslides. The rescue operation began at 5 PM yesterday and continued till 3.45 this morning during which 145 vehicles carrying tourists, including women and children were rescued. [caption id=“attachment_337950” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Representative image. Reuters”]  [/caption]Immediately after the news of landslides was received here, Superintendent of Police Vivek Gupta led a team of rescue workers from the police, CRPF and army to the spot, 17,815 feet above sea level, along with a medical team. According to the official spokesman of Jammu and Kashmir Government, nearly 145 vehicles carrying tourists, labourers and passengers were trapped in sub-zero temperature. The spokesman said the vehicles were stranded between South and North Pullu, 42 kilometres from here. This road leads to Siachen glacier and Nurbu valley. Northern Command Army Spokesperson Rajesh Kalia also said that nearly 120 people were administered oxygen as oxygen levels were low in the area. Many of the stranded passengers had yesterday complained of altitude sickness. PTI