'There were another 20-odd cars with us, who also came back. The telephone network continues to be dead.'

'We hear that the road to Shimla is open except for a stretch at Malling (in Kinnaur district) which has to be crossed on foot. It seems some people are attempting this route by abandoning their taxis on this side of Malling and taking new taxis on the other side... We have a lot of important work in Mumbai. My daughter is missing college,' Doongaji added.

Doongaji has been stranded there since Sep 9.

The trans-Himalayan Buddhist-dominated district has a rich treasure of monasteries. It attracts globe-trotters not only for nature-based activities but also for exploring ancient monasteries like Tabo, which is over 1,000 years old.

The entire district, populated mainly by tribals, remains cut off from the rest of the country for more than six months in a year due to snow.