Palampur, September 17
Seven persons lost their lives and four others were seriously injured heavy rains during the past 24 hours in several parts of Himachal Pradesh.

At least four persons were killed and four others seriously injured when a landslide hit a house at Thala village, 10 km from here, early in the morning today.

The tragedy occurred at 2.30 a.m. when the family was asleep. Landslides, carrying big boulders and mud, washed away the house, killing four persons on the spot and injuring four others.

Reports reaching here said that heavy rain for the past three days had disrupted normal life in the region and people were facing serious threats to their lives and property because of landslides.

Those killed have been identified as Rekha Devi (24), her four-month-old son, Sudershna, and her two-year-old daughter. The injured are Amloo Devi, her two sons Milap Chand and Raj Kumar and Panjoo Devi. Both Milap Chand and Panjoo Devi are deaf and dumb.

Mr Abhishek Jain, SDM, Palampur, reached the spot along with a team of officials and supervised the relief and rescue operations. He also distributed Rs 30,000 each to the next kit of kin of those killed in the mishap. He said the government would meet all medical expenses of the injured who have been admitted to the Civil Hospital.

Meanwhile, heavy loss of property has been reported from other parts of the region. Over 60 houses were damaged in different parts of the region because of heavy rain. Vehicular traffic on all roads, leading to Palampur, remain closed till this afternoon.

The Pathankot-Mandi National Highway also remained closed for five hours this morning as landslides disrupted the traffic at Banoru. Several parts of the town also remained without power supply.

KANGRA: One person was washed away in the Baner khud at Haripur falling under Dhera sub division of this district this afternoon following the spate in the Baner river, police said here today.

Kangra district police chief Mr S.P. Singh said that Brij Mohan, 29, a resident of Haripur had gone for grazing the cattle in the river bed when the flash floods washed him away. His body could not be traced as yet, police said.

An old woman and his son were buried alive in another house collapse at Bairi Ghatta village in the Bhawarna area of Kangra district.

The Shimla-Chadhiar bus of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation sunk into a marshy patch of land near Dhar in Kangra district. All passengers had been rescued but the bus was yet to be pulled out from deep slush.