Feature
Snowfall: Hundreds of nomads stranded at Deosai heights, majority rescued
With reporting by Subhan Suhail
Astore, September 6: More than 174 nomads, who live in the plains during summers rearing sheep and goats, remain stuck at the Deosai since yesterday due to heavy snowfall.
More than 250 have been rescued by the district administration with the help of local people. The rescued nomads have been brought to Chilim, a small village located deep in the Astore Valley.
Women and children are among the rescued and stuck people, the region’s Deputy Commissioner has told the press. He said that the news of these people going missing reaching them quite late and therefore the rescue operations could not be launched on time. He said that while majority of the people have been rescued, many remain stranded and efforts were being made to locate and bring them out of Deosai.
The Deputy Commissioner also requested the provincial government for help in dealing with the situation.
It is pertinent to note that the Deosai Valley is located between Skardu and Astore, at around 12,000 feet above the sea level. The plains, which are famous among tourists because of their wildlife, scenic beauty and flowers, are used by the locals as pastures during the summer and late spring.
