At least 18 killed in landslides, flash floods triggered by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh

Scores of deaths have been reported in just two days in incidents of landslides and flash flood due to rain fury in Himachal Pradesh.

One person was killed and 13 others were feared dead in a landslide and a flash flood triggered by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district. In Chamba district, three people were killed after their house collapsed following a landslide triggered by rains on Saturday morning.

In Mandi, the body of a girl was recovered about half a km away from her house in Baghi Nullah on Mandi-Katola-Prashar road on Friday night, while five members of her family were washed away, the state disaster management department said.

Besides, eight members of another family are also feared buried under the debris of their house following a landslide at Kashan village in Gohar development block, the department added. However, the bodies have not been retrieved yet, it said.

Besides, the Chakki bridge in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district collapsed on Saturday morning as flash floods hit the area with the state witnessing incessant rainfall for over 24 hours.

Heavy rainfall is likely in Kangra, Chamba, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts on Saturday, the weather department predicted.

“The railway bridge on Chakki river in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district damaged due to flash flood, collapsed today morning. The water in the river is yet to recede,” the Northern Railways said.

Meanwhile, schools in Mandi district will remain closed on Saturday due to incessant rain, as per an order by Deputy Commissioner Arindam Chaudhary.

“In view of incessant rain in Mandi for the past more than two days and weather forecast of heavy rainfall in next 24 hours, it has been decided that all government and private educational institutions (except colleges and ITI) will remain closed on August 20,” he said in the order issued on Friday evening.

“All anganwadis will also remain closed. Heads of educational institutions will ensure strict compliance of the order,” he added.

Several families left their houses located between Baghi to Old Katola areas after cloud burst and took shelter at safe places, the department added.

Several roads in Mandi district have also been blocked after flash floods and multiple landslides.

Several vehicles were damaged and a number of villagers were stuck in their houses as water entered their houses and shops at Balh, Sadar, Thunag, Mandi and Lamathach after a flash flood.

For more stories that cover the ongoings of Delhi NCR, follow us on:

Instagram: instagram.com/thepatriot_in/
Twitter: twitter.com/Patriot_Delhi
Facebook: facebook.com/Thepatriotnewsindia