300 sheep, goats killed in avalanche

Our Correspondent

Palampur, April 25

Over 300 sheep and goats were buried alive under snow after an avalanche hit a camp of shepherds, about 10 km from Baijnath in Dhauladhar hills yesterday.

As per the report, Om Parkash, Thanu Ram and Piar Chand, shepherds, who were residents of Deol village, Baijnath, were camping in Duhag area, near hot water springs at Tatwani, when all of sudden, a huge chunk of snow hit the camp, killing 300 sheep and goats on the spot. The shepherd managed to save themselves.

Trilok Kapoor, chairman, HP State Wool Federation, said the exact number of animals killed could not be ascertained immediately, as the spot was covered with heavy snow. He said efforts were on to remove the snow to take out the dead animals.

Kapoor said a team of animal husbandry and revenue departments had already been sent to the spot to prepare the estimate of loss caused to shepherds. He said the Chief Minister had already sanctioned immediate relief to the victims, as soon as he received the information.

He said adequate relief would be given to the victims as per the relief manual of the state government.

Kapoor said earlier 27 goats belonging to Bhinder, were killed by a leopard, near Dhundu Nala in Baijnath tehsil yesterday.