Houses, bridges damaged in Palampur, Baijnath

Our Correspondent

Palampur, August 18

Widespread rain in the past two days has caused damage to several houses in Palampur, Baijnath and Jaisinghpur divisions. Besides, dozens of road culverts and bridges have suffered damage.

According to reports, employees of the PWD were pressed into service to restore the traffic on Sunday. A spokesperson of the department said all roads would be made operational except two roads in the upper areas of Palampur by evening.

Over a dozen kutcha houses in rural areas of Palampur and Baijnath also suffered loss. However, no loss of life has been reported so far.

Water level of the Neugal receded and residents of the town thronged the Saurab Van Vihar. In Bundla, the river changed its course yesterday and flood water entered the Saurabh Van Vihar park built in the memory of Captain Saurabh Kaila, a martyr of the Kargil War.

However, the statute of martyr is intact. Residents of the town have demanded shifting of the statue to a safer place immediately. They appealed to the Kangra DC Rakesh Prajapati to provide land for the installation of the statue. Also, they said that the park should not be built at the old site as it was prone to floods.

It was a dream project of BJP leader Shanta Kumar, who had given crores of rupees from his MPLAD fund for its construction.