Reported on the REACH site some 150 people are currently waiting for helicopter flights out of Zanskar. Clearly the Pensi-la has closed and winter isolation has begun!

However, it does seem a little odd that so many people are waiting to get out of Zanskar. Perhaps locals were lulled into a false sense of security by the relatively late snows of previous winters. Admittedly there are some medical cases waiting for evacuation by helicopter, but aside from patients most Zanskaris are well aware of winter snow closing the road and they usually organise their urgent business accordingly. I wonder if migrant labourers or government workers remained in Zanskar later than usual and got trapped as snow closed the road? The helicopter service between Zanskar and Kargil should run reasonably frequently but despite government assurance the pilots of these relief flights always seem reluctant to fly into Zanskar, the weather is frequently 'not safe for flying' and rest assured if there is even the slightest chance that the chopper will get in, but not out, they will not leave Kargil. Pilots do not want to get stuck in Zanskar, the accommodation is generally basic, and furthermore once shut down the winter temperatures can make unprotected helicopter engines difficult to start.