12 foreigners rescued from Kangra village

Ashok Raina

Kangra, September 24

It continued to rain heavily in the Kangra valley for the third day on Monday, throwing life out of gear. As many as 12 foreign tourists were rescued from Kanool Shalli village in the Shahpur area.

Sandeep Kumar, DC, Kangra, said after taking a feedback from SDMs and receiving information regarding vulnerabilities of roads and paths, it was decided that all government and private educational institutions besides aanganwari centres would remain closed on Tuesday. The Meteorological Department predicted rain with thundershowers at some places on Tuesday.

The DC said one person drowned in Indora area of the district and 12 foreign tourists were rescued from Kanool Shalli village in the Shahpur area. The tourists were from Spain, Israel and China who had gone to the area for trekking.

Jagan Thakur, SDM, Shahpur, said after the transshipment of the 12 tourists they were brought in government vehicles up to Riddikmar from where they left for their destinations in private vehicles. The road to the Kanool village, which was located in the remote Darkhandi area of Shahpur subdivision, was cut off as it got damaged in the rain at four places.

Urban Development Minister Sarween Chaoudary visited the rain-affected areas of her constituency. The Pathankot-Mandi national highway had caved in near Rajol. The Dhauldhar ranges experienced snowfall bringing down the temperature considerably. Most of the people were seen wearing sweaters and jackets.

Shashi Pal Negi, SDM, Kangra, said the Rantial Kotla road was closed after it caved in and a landslide in the area near the Galian bridge. He said one house was damaged in the Thakurdwara area and 12 cowsheds were destroyed in the rain. Negi said there was loss to the properties of the IPH and HPSEB departments and the PWD