Manali: Five persons from Lahaul risked their lives to reach Manali after crossing Rohtang pass on Sunday. The five persons, including two labourers, started their on-foot journey from Sissu and walked for about 60km on 5 to 50ft of snow till Gulaba near Manali.The 40km stretch on both sides of Rohtang pass is still covered under 20ft of snow. Travelers point out that it takes a lot of energy to move an inch ahead if the leg sinks in snow. The area is witnessing avalanches every day but helpless people are forced to take risk to come out of the snow-bound valley which has received heavy to very heavy snow this season and are annoyed that authorities are not being able to speed up the process.Four persons from Sissu had crossed Rohtang pass a few days back and they had to walk for 13 hours. Hundreds of people in Lahaul and Kullu are still waiting for their turn in helicopter to cross Rohtang pass. Securing a seat in helicopter is not easy and those who have an urgency and cannot wait to avail the helicopter services are taking the risk to cross Rohtang. The fact that many have lost their lives in the past while crossing in these conditions have not deterred their intentions. Rohtang continues to be one of the most dangerous passes due to the unpredictable weather which comprises of blizzards even on a sunny day.Tek Chand, a resident of Kullu, who runs a dhaba at Jahlama in Lahaul, was trying to reach Kullu on foot a few days back but he got stuck near Dalang as he had to be taken back to Keylong hospital because of a frostbite. His legs suffered from frostbite and he was taken back to Keylong hospital. Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Ashwani Chawdhary said rescue experts from Manali have reached rescue post at Koksar below Rohtang in Lahaul and two police personnel and medical staff has already left to join them. “A rescue post would be established at Marhi near Manali on Monday. Once both the posts were fully functional, they will monitor the movement of pedestrians. People need to register themselves with both the posts before and after crossing Rohtang pass to ensure their safety. If persons at posts feel it is unsafe for pedestrians, they will prevent them from undertaking a foot travel,’’ said Chawdhary

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