It was meant to be an adventure trip, but 18 Malayalis stranded in Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh, after continuous landslides cut off roads are going through anxious moments. Among them is 18-year-old Varada V Nair, on her first solo trip outside Kerala. The 25-member group, travelling on a 'strangers' trip' organised by a Kochi-based tour company, started its journey on August 25.

They had initially planned to visit Manali but changed course due to floods, heading instead towards Spiti Valley. On their final day, multiple landslides blocked the route. “It was raining heavily. The road just collapsed in front of us. We had no option but to return to Kalpa,” Varada told Onmanorama.

The team, which includes men and women aged between 18 and 50, has faced health concerns since being stranded. “Our group consists of 18 Malayalis. There are also Tamil Nadu natives and people from North Indian states. One person suffered severe breathing issues due to low oxygen levels. Three others had respiratory trouble, while some developed complications related to diabetes,” Varada said. The ailing members were shifted to a nearby hospital and later brought back to the hotel. "The one who suffered breathing issues was transported in an ambulance," she said. 

On Saturday, the group was stuck on the road from 9 am to 6 pm as stones and debris kept falling from the hills. “We saw two major landslides on the way. It was terrifying,” Varada said. “The affected sites are just half an hour away from our hotel. Local people have warned us that landslides can happen at any time.” 

Though food and water supplies are not an immediate concern, they are gripped by a sense of uncertainty. Families back in Kerala are worried, and some travellers have work and personal commitments waiting. 

Sharooq, a Dubai-based Malayali on a one-month vacation, said his return plans to Kerala have already gone awry. “Our tickets are cancelled. We now have to figure out new options once the roads are cleared,” he said. Another member, Jisan from Kochi, explained that trekking out is the only alternative, but not a safe one. “There is a 4 km stretch we could cover on foot to reach vehicles, but the trekking route itself is prone to landslides. It’s too risky.” 

Authorities in Himachal Pradesh, including the state police, have visited the group and assured assistance. “We are told we will be taken to safety once the roads are cleared. But the weather is unpredictable, and no one knows when another landslide will hit,” Varada said. “I was supposed to be back in Kochi today. This was my first solo trip outside Kerala, and I made good friends here. But now, all we want is to get back home safely,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged his Himachal Pradesh counterpart, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, to ensure the rescue and safe return of 18 Keralites stranded in Kalpa following flash floods. He called for immediate intervention by the Himachal government and assured that Kerala officials are in constant touch with their counterparts to coordinate efforts. The Chief Minister also expressed Kerala’s solidarity with the people of Himachal Pradesh during this crisis.