02/06/2025
It is with deep sorrow that we inform the public that on June 1, 2025, a tourist tragically passed away on the Manali–Leh National Highway due to sudden respiratory distress and symptoms consistent with High Altitude Sickness.
Details of the Deceased:
Name: Varinderjit Pandher Father’s Name: Sh. Chanan Singh Pandher Age: 54 years Address: Aman Bagh Colony, Jhill, Patiala, Punjab
The public is hereby informed that the district of Lahaul-Spiti is located at a very high altitude where the oxygen level in the air is lower than normal. In such conditions, if any person, especially those with pre-existing respiratory problems, travels to high-altitude areas such as beyond Darcha or from Gramphu to Losar, they may experience difficulty in breathing. Without timely medical assistance, this condition can prove fatal. There have been previous incidents of tourists losing their lives due to High Altitude Sickness.
Furthermore, mobile network availability is absent in high-altitude areas beyond Darcha and between Gramphu and Losar, making it extremely difficult to seek help in emergencies.
Advisory:If anyone has any respiratory problems, they are advised to avoid traveling beyond Darcha on the Manali-Leh route. Tourists traveling on this route must carry oxygen cylinders, oxygen tablets, and essential first aid kits. They should also drink small amounts of water regularly at short intervals to stay hydrated and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Issued by:
Ilma Afroz, IPS
Superintendent of Police District Lahaul Spiti