Relief and rescue operations underway in Chhota Bhangal

The administration is carrying out relief and rescue operations in flood-hit areas of Chhota Bhangal, where over 20 houses were damaged and six vehicles were washed away following a cloudburst yesterday.

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Luwai, Poling, Luhardi, Zero Point, Polling and Termahar villages are the worst affected where many people have been rendered homeless. These villages have been cut off from the valley following heavy landslides and washing of small culverts and bridges. Besides, there is no power and drinking water supply in these villages for the past 24 hours.

The administration has shifted 12 families to safer places because of regular sinking of hills and rolling down muck and debris posing threat to the human lives.

A team of The Tribune covered a distance of 70 km in three hours to reach the affected areas. The residents were busy removing mud and debris from their houses to salvage their belongings.

Official records reveal that around 25 houses have suffered heavy damage.

Demanding implementation of stringent environmental laws, villagers said a flood-like situation had arisen in the valley due to the reckless cutting of hills, trees and rising tourism.

A police team from Baijnath has also reached in the flood-affected villages. Police personnel with the help of the Public Works Department have pressed earth movers for the restoration of roads which were washed away yesterday.

Baijnath DSP Anil Sharma said their first priority was to restore vehicular traffic and power supply in the valley. He said the floodwater had damaged roads, houses, shops, schools and camping sites.

Sharma said relief teams were making all-out efforts to reach affected villages.

He said revenue officers had been directed by Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hem Raj Berwa to meet the flood victims and prepare estimates of losses, so that necessary financial assistance could be given to them.