ITBP rescues 413 Kinnaur Kailash devotees in Himachal

August 6, 2025

Himachal: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) successfully rescued 413 devotees from the mountainous Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, transporting them to safety using the rope-based traverse crossing technique. The devotees had been stranded since Tuesday after flash floods swept away parts of the route leading to the Kinnaur Kailash pilgrimage, prompting the local authorities to halt the pilgrimage temporarily.

The annual pilgrimage to Kinnaur Kailash, a challenging trek in the Himalayas dedicated to Lord Shiva’s 79-foot Shiva Lingam, attracts many pilgrims who seek a view of Mount Kailash, considered the winter home of Lord Shiva. The ITBP reported that the rescue took place in the Tangling area along the pilgrimage route, where flash floods had damaged a significant section of the trekking path, leaving hundreds of pilgrims stranded.

The rescue operation involved a team of one Gazetted Officer, four Subordinate Officers, 29 personnel from the ITBP, and coordinated efforts with a 14-member team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Following a distress call from the Kinnaur administration about more stranded pilgrims, both rescue teams were mobilized again to continue operations.

The 10-day Kinnaur Kailash pilgrimage, which involves visiting the iconic 79-foot Shiva Lingam, was halted after powerful floods washed away several bridges at Tanglippi and Kangarang and rendered many trekking paths dangerously slippery or landslide-affected, posing serious risks to pilgrims. The Subdivisional Magistrate of Kalpa stated that the pilgrimage would remain suspended until further notice due to these hazardous conditions.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department issued a weather warning for Himachal Pradesh, predicting light to moderate rain across most areas, with the possibility of intense rainfall in districts such as Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Mandi. As a precaution, authorities in six subdivisions of Shimla — including Chopal, Kumarsain, Rampur, Sunni, Jubbal, and Theog — have ordered the closure of all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, ITIs, and anganwadis.