Multiple Flash Floods In Himachal Pradesh, Two dead, 13 Feared Missing
Shimla, July 28 (TNA) Heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods have wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh with two persons dead and 13 feared missing with many others injured besides many vehicles, houses damaged or washed away across the state, said government officials on Wednesday.
In the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti one died and 9 are feared missing in a sudden flash flood in Tozing Nulla in Udaipur, Lahaul-Spiti district Superintendent Police Manav Verma informed.
The disaster occurred in the intervening night and a rescue team comprising ITBP, DDMA and BRO lead by police officer is already on the spot searching for missing people, said police officer.
The Lahaul-Spiti district administration has called the NDRF team from Padhar and will join the rescue operation soon. Mobile and telephone services in this tribal region have been disrupted, hampering communication during the rescue operations.
All the 64 tourists who were staying in various camping sites in this district have been evacuated ad brought to safe place, the district administration said.
In another flash flood incident that sent Bramganga stream in spate in Kullu district early morning, three persons - one Delhi woman tourist besides a mother and her daughter were washed and were still missing, said district administration. Many houses and tenting sites were damaged or washed away in Bramganga stream flooding today morning.
District administration has launched an intensive operation to search all three missing persons.
The Chandigarh-Manali road is blocked with landslides occurring in many places with vehicles stranded on the roads.
One person died falling from the cliff and one was feared missing in flash floods in Jamm-Kashmir bordering Chamba district, said district administration.
For the last two days it's raining heavily in Himachal Pradesh sending all brooks, streams and rivers in spate, triggering devastating floods across the state, posing threats to human life and properties.
There are many tourists still stuck up in various tourist destinations across the state and the state government has asked district administrations to take stock of the situation and help them.
-- Nagender Ranta