14 dead as cloudbursts lead to flash floods in Lahaul, Kishtwar

Tribune News Service

Mandi/Jammu, July 28

Fourteen persons were killed and 20 reported missing after cloudbursts triggered flash floods in tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal and Kishtwar in J&K.

In Lahaul-Spiti, seven persons died and three went missing after a cloudburst late last evening. At least 12 labourers were washed away.

Rescue teams comprising police, BRO and ITBP personnel managed to save two labourers. The victims, both critically injured, were rushed to district hospital in Keylong. Six of the deceased were identified as Sher Singh (62), Mehar Chand (50), Nirath Ram (42) and Room Singh (41), all of Mandi, and Mohd Sharif and Mohd Ajam of Reasi (J&K).

The flash floods also damaged Jahlama bridge on the Tandi-Udaipur-Killar road in the district. Manav Verma, SP, said it would take at least five days for the BRO to restore the road for traffic. The road leading to Udaipur from Keylong, Manali-Leh highway and Gramphu-Kaza highway were blocked at several locations. Nearly 60 vehicles were stranded at different locations. Several people living in low-lying areas were evacuated from Darcha village after water level rose in the Bhaga river.

In Kullu district, four persons were washed away in the overflowing Bramganga nullah in Manikaran valley today. Kullu Superintendent of Police Gurdev Sharma said the victims were identified as Poonam (26) and her son Nikunj (4) of Brahmganga village, Vinita (25) of Ghaziabad and Virender of Sangana village.

Due to landslides, the Chandigarh-Manali highway was blocked for hours near Hanogi temple in Mandi. Another 34 roads were blocked in Mandi and 70 in Kullu.

In Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, seven persons died and 17 went missing following a cloudburst at Hunzar village in the remote Dachhan area of the district of Jammu and Kashmir. Another 17 persons sustained injuries. The Army has started the rescue operation.

Roads damaged, 15 HP villages cut off

Nurpur: The rain-triggered landslides have blocked the link roads to 15 villages in Mand area of Indora in Kangra district, causing hardships to the residents. TNS