Reports confirm that despite the flood devastation and significant loss of life, tourist trekking groups have continued to fly into Ladakh, and travel by road now that road links are restored. One probably has mixed feelings about this, it seems odd that people should be holidaying whilst the flood damage is still being cleared. Yet, on the other hand, with an estimated 50% of Ladakh's income resulting from the tourist trade, it makes sense that the wider area should benefit from continued income through the economically important summer months. Overall tourist numbers have however been affected and numbers of tourists now entering Ladakh is massively short of that expected for peak season. Unusually for August, most hotels in Leh are not fully booked.

A report in the Daily Excelsior also claims that the road link between Kargil and Zanskar was restored by August 12, well in advance of the estimated four weeks! Zanskaris will be happy, especially those overseeing the summer stockpiling of goods at the Government Store.

Oh, and a cautionary word for anyone imminently embarking on a trek, be prepared for makeshift paths and bridges, some of which may involve some tricky traversing. The heavy rainfall will almost certainly have modified trail conditions on most treks.

More details are now available regarding the evacuation of trekkers in Zanskar. The 81 tourists were evacuated from Skyu Markha area. However, the death of six foreign tourists has also been reported from the afore mentioned area and the Hinju trekking route. 151 trekkers have also safely reached Lamayuru.

81 tourists and 6 local tour operators have been airlifted from Zanskar by the IAF. Apparently this was undertaken in a record 62 sorties taking 5.5 hours between Leh and Zanskar. Although the exact location was unclear reports suggest that the groups were trekkers and were not collected from central Zanskar.

Communications (mobile phone) in Zanskar remain down, due mainly to the disruption of the BSNL network in Leh.

Further to the post below the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and similar Government advisories in Canada and Australia are advising people (tourists) not to travel to Leh and surrounding areas. For more info check out the FCO site and this Times of India news story.

Ignoring this advice may invalidate your travel insurance. Besides, this is good advice, your visit could just be a further burden on already stretched resources. Looking at the reports I would be inclined to reschedule any imminent visit to next year.

The reports now coming from Leh put the toll at 150 fatalities and more than 300 still missing. The Indian media is covering the story with regular updates and video footage posted online. The picture is grim. For more detail just Google 'Leh flooding'.

Whilst the worst flooding and resulting mudslides were restricted to Leh area, Choglamsar, Phyang and Nimu, a much wider area has also been affected. There is no road access to Leh District and bridges are also out in Kargil District. Heavy rain has fallen across the entire region, including Spiti.

Zanskar has also been affected although there are no casualties reported from there as yet. Property constructed near the stream that divides Karsha was damaged but safely evacuated. However, around 13Km of road between Rangdum and Parkachick has been disrupted and estimates are that it will take a minimum of four weeks to repair. This means that there is currently no road access to Zanskar. As is often the case groups will be walking across the slides and catching transport waiting at the temporary roadheads. However, if you are planning on visiting be warned, I suspect supplies of fresh food in Zanskar will get very low whilst the road is out.

Presumably there were also groups out trekking through this period of heavy rain. High water and washed out trails will no doubt hamper trekkers completing their treks. Of course roads are also out so getting back to Leh, or heading out to Manali or Srinagar, may also be problematic.

A Flood Control Room has been set up in Leh and anyone trying to trace friends and family can call these numbers, although I suspect these numbers are mainly for Leh/Indus Valley enquiries and will shed little light on groups that are out trekking in remote areas.

99069 90613
99069 90833
99069 90807
99069 83544
99069 90748
99069 90835
99069 90787

Satellite phone: 00870 7636 13623

Reports are emerging from Ladakh that there has been extensive and sudden flooding in and around Leh. All road and air connections to Ladakh have been affected and the Daily Excelsior today reports 59 fatalities in the Leh area. More on the story here (this link will expire as soon as the story is archived, I will update it soon...). I have tried contacting friends in Zanskar but have had no luck as yet as phone and internet services are also disrupted. If anyone has any news I would be grateful for any updates!