Flash floods in Himachal Pradesh: three more bodies found in Kangra, death toll rises to five
Search operations have been intensified to find the missing persons — three each from Kullu and Kangra. Meanwhile, an unknown person died after drowning in a seasonal rivulet in Kullu on Thursday. The flash floods occurred in Kangra and Kullu districts on Wednesday.
'Three more bodies were found today. A total of five people lost their lives. Out of five, four were identified. As per the information provided to us by the contractor at the Hydroelectric power project, three people are still missing. Separately, a man, who had climbed up and entered a forest area to save himself yesterday from the increased water at the hydro power project site, was traced today (Thursday). The rescue work is going on,' Deputy Commissioner (Kangra) Hemraj Bairwa said.
The three deceased have been identified as Chain Singh, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, Aditya Thakur from Chamba, and Pardeep Verma and Chandan from Uttar Pradesh, Kangra SP Shalini Agnihotri said.
Deputy Commissioner (Kullu)Torul S Raveesh, said three persons who had gone missing on Wednesday in the area of Sainj valley, are still missing. 'We have called the teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to assist in the ongoing search and rescue operation,' he added.
'A man died today (Thursday) due to drowning in a rivulet which was overflown due to the incessant rain in the area. The victim appeared to be a tourist who might have gone close to the river. Many people saw him drowning. His identity is yet to be established,' Raveesh further said.
Meanwhile, scores of tourists were stranded in the area of Manikaran Valley, Banjar, Kullu and Manali due to the incessant rain and damaged of the roads. Officials said that efforts are on to bring the tourists to safe places.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said more than 15 houses collapsed and washed away in the recent cloudbursts. 'Around nine flash floods along with three cloudbursts were reported in Kullu and Kangra in the last 24 hours. Five bodies were recovered in Kangra. Five people are still missing. I believe that roads especially connecting the villages were damaged to a large extent. We have issued necessary guidelines and warnings throughout the state,' Sukhu added.
The district police of Lahaul and Spiti received information that a group of 31 trekkers, who had set out from Hamta and were scheduled to reach Chhatru, had not arrived at their destination within the expected time on Wednesday, were later located. 'Considering the seriousness of the situation, a rescue team was immediately dispatched from Koksar. Thanks to the swift response and dedication of the district police, all 31 trekkers were safely located and their families were informed of their well-being,' he added.
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