State’s Additional Chief Secretary Parminder Mathur, who heads the disaster management group, held a meeting late this evening and reviewed the situation with top officials of the Public Works and Irrigation and Public Health Departments.

“Directions have been given to the Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul and Spiti, to ensure safety of the stranded persons and make arrangements for their evacuation. Officials are also camping at Satru and Sarchu to oversee the arrangements,” she told the meeting.

In Shimla and other areas affected by the landslides, Mathur stressed upon the need to open link roads and maintaining drinking water supply. The meeting was also attended by PWD, IPH and police officials.

Reports received from Lahaul-Spiti said nearly 300 persons are stranded at Sarchu and another 100 between Batal and Satru. There have also been reports about a foreigners’ trekking group stranded in Lahaul-Spiti. The Deputy Commissioner is understood to have sent a request for pressing a helicopter into service to airlift the foreigners and other stranded persons. About 22 persons who have reached Lossar in Spiti valley are reported to be safe, say reports.

Lahaul-Spiti DC C. Paul Rasu said in a release that snow clearance work on the road between Keylong and Baralacha was still on. One person whose body was found yesterday has been identified as a truck driver, Cheering Dorje, who hails from Leh.

Rakesh Kaushal, Secretary (Revenue), said the total death toll in the state has reached 49, of which 38 are in Shimla district alone.