Flash flood, landslide in Dharamsala; 1 killed, 10 missing

Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, July 12

A flash flood and landslide in the Dharamsala region have left a trail of destruction with one person dead and 10 missing even as the rescue operation is on to search for those trapped under the debris.

• Also read: Rain wreaks havoc in Kangra district
• Rivers in spate, power supply hit in Palampur
• Railway tracks under water in valley
• Manali road blocked, tourists stranded

The first heavy monsoon rain led to a flash flood today in Bhagsunag (near McLeodganj) and lower Dharamsala area and a massive landslide in the Boh valley, about 30 km from here.

Lightning toll 41 in Rajasthan, UP, MP

• At least 41 persons were killed in incidents related to lightning strikes in R’sthan, Uttar Pradesh and MP in the past 24 hours.
• PM Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives.

As per reports reaching here, five persons were rescued while 10 went missing in the remote Boh valley, as a massive landslide brought down tonnes of debris, damaging houses. Inmates of five houses are learnt to be trapped under the debris. Kangra SP Vimukt Ranjan, who reached the spot, said one body had been recovered.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the flooding, tweeted: “The situation in Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rains is being closely monitored. The authorities are working with the state government. All possible support is being extended. I pray for the safety of those in the affected areas.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to HP CM Jai Ram Thakur on phone and assured him of all help from the Centre.

Shah also conveyed to Thakur that teams of the NDRF were reaching the affected areas for rescue work.

Sources here said though the landslide occurred about 10.30 am, the arrival of the rescue teams was delayed as the road to the area was blocked by the landslide. About six JCB machines were deployed to clear the road.

Earlier in the morning, the gushing waters from an overflowing nullah in Bhagsunag damaged tourist vehicles parked on the streets though there was no loss to property. Locals blamed the flooding on the encroachments by some hoteliers. They alleged that the nullah which was more than 20 feet wide had been narrowed to less than 10 feet at certain places by the hoteliers.

The Manji river which was in full spate due to the heavy rain throughout the night caused damage to property in Bagli village, about 7 km from here. The river washed away four houses and two shops on its banks.

The district administration got the houses and commercial establishments on the banks of the Manji vacated. The slum dwellers residing on the banks of the Bagli river were also shifted to a government school. The road leading from Bagli to Sheela Chowk was also damaged, disrupting traffic.

People in the Dharamsala region have been encroaching on riverbeds while the authorities have remained a mute spectator. Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Nipun Jindal said the exact damage could only be gauged after a survey. Ashwani Bamba, president of the local hotel association, meanwhile, said all bookings in the Bhagsunag area had been cancelled.

The Deputy Commissioner has issued an advisory, asking tourists not to travel to the region till July 13. He said roads had been damaged due to the flash flood and efforts were being made to repair them soon.