Houses razed in Palampur flash floods

Our Correspondent

Palampur, August 9

Over one dozen houses were razed as flash floods triggered by cloudburst wrecked havoc in many villages of lower areas of Palampur last night. Over 20 link roads of state Public Works Department were also washed away, while several culverts and bridges also suffered extensive damage.

Executive Engineer PWD Vikas Sood said the worst-affected areas are upper Bundla, Purbha, Nagni and Kehera Bhora where most of the roads were closed for traffic because of heavy landslides. He said PWD men and machinery had been working overtime to clear the landslides.

Vehicular traffic on the Pathankot-Mandi NH also remained suspended for hours following felling of trees on the road. Later NH authorities cleared the road and traffic was restored.

Palampur and its areas remained without power for hours following felling of trees on transmission lines between Palampur and Maranda.

Meanwhile, major rivulets like Binwa, Neugal and Awa were flowing above danger mark. SDM Palampur Balwan Chand has advised the residents not to go near gushing water as chances of more flash floods because of heavy rain in upper areas could not be ruled out.

20 link roads washed away 

• Over 20 link roads of state Public Works Department were washed away in the flash floods triggered by cloudburst, while several culverts and bridges also suffered extensive damage.
• Vikas Sood, Executive Engineer, PWD,  said the worst-affected areas are upper Bundla, Purbha, Nagni and Kehera Bhora where most of the roads were closed for traffic. 
• He said PWD men and machinery had been working overtime to clear the landslides.