Heavy downpour paralyses life in Dharamsala, 2 labourers drown

Two migrant labourers lost their lives by drowning in the swollen Manjhi Khud in Dharamsala city on Wednesday as relentless monsoon rains battered the popular hill station during the past 24 hours. The victims, yet to be officially identified, are believed to have been swept away by the strong currents while working on an under-construction power project at Khaniara village.

The authorities and rescue teams of the district disaster management authority later recovered two unidentified bodies after an extensive search operation. The police took the bodies into custody and sent these to the district hospital to be kept in the mortuary for identification.

Another middle-aged man was trapped in a swollen khud at Fatehpur but he was luckily saved by the local people.

Meanwhile, continuous downpour during the past 24 hours has thrown normal life out of gear in the hill town, which has witnessed more than 100 mm of rainfall in the recent past. Last night, it was 49.3 mm.

A landslide was reported on a link road in Palampur, an official of the district administration said, adding that JCB machines were dispatched to clear the road for traffic movement.

A senior official of the Jal Shakti Department said the department has suffered losses to infrastructure in Kangra. The reports of losses are being compiled.

The persistent downpour has thrown normal life out of gear in Dharamsala and it’s adjoining areas, particularly affecting the children who faced considerable difficulty in going to schools. Many parents in the villages around Dharamsala chose to keep their children at home, fearing slippery roads and potential landslides.

Despite the gloomy weather and disruptions, the rains have brought hope for the agrarian community. Farmers in the peripheral areas such as Khanyara, Sakoh, Sudherh and other nearby villages expressed joy at the abundant rainfall, which has led to water stagnation in paddy fields, ideal for the transplantation of paddy seedlings.

With soil conditions now favourable, many farmers have begun preparations to take advantage of the natural irrigation and start the crucial phase of the paddy season. “This rain is a blessing for us. The fields are filled with water and we are all set to begin the transplantation process,” said Saroop Chand, a resident of Sakoh village.