Dharamshala, Aug. 31 -- The 14th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has rescued more than 1,400 pilgrims stranded on the Chamba-Bharmaur route after multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains disrupted the Shri Mani Mahesh Ji Yatra over the past three days.
Colonel Baljinder Singh, Commanding Officer of the battalion, said persistent rainfall on August 28, 29 and 30 caused massive landslides along the route, halting the yatra and leaving a large number of pilgrims stranded.
An NDRF team led by Inspector Deepak Singh Aswal reached the Chamba Deputy Commissioner's office on August 30 for operational planning and immediately launched rescue operations at vulnerable points.
On August 30, the force rescued 629 pilgrims...