Frantic rescue operations underway in Kangra following flash floods, landslides

Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh): A day after unprecedented flash floods and landslides in the Rupehad village of Boh Valley in Shahpur, the NDRF team have so far recovered ten bodies and rescued five people. Eight houses were buried in the debris caused due to the landslides yesterday. Five people are still missing. Rescue operations are currently underway.

On Tuesday, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas and took stock of the Boh area of the Shahpur assembly constituency of Kangra District. The CM also meet the flood-affected families of the area and directed the district administration to carry out relief and rehabilitation work on a war footing in the affected areas. He has assured that all possible help would be provided to the families affected by the flash floods and rehabilitation would be ensured as well.

Meanwhile, district collector Kangra Nipun Jindal has said that the damages due to flash floods and landslides in the Kangra district are estimated to be 57 crores. The recent flash floods, heavy rains and landslides have caused heavy destruction in the Kangra district. Several houses have been destroyed while the roads, drains, bridges have been washed away in several places.

Rescue operations are underway and so far five people have been rescued out of the debris. Among the rescued are two girls aged seven and eight. The eight-year-old Vanshika was buried under debris following a landslide along with 15 people including her family in the Rupehad village. The girl under tremendous distress managed to call her teacher from her mobile and told her about the situation. She was rescued late at night with her family with the help of locals. The family is undergoing treatment at a local hospital in Shahpur while the girl has been referred to Chandigarh PGI for treatment.

Meanwhile, in Kullu, heavy rains led to landslides in the Pagal Nala and adjoining areas. This landslide caused a four-hour-long traffic snarl, stopping the vehicle movement.

The vehicles carrying perishable vegetables were stuck in the traffic jam. Finally, after four hours, the public works department reached the spot with machinery to clear the debris. The area locals are angry as there are no alternate roads in the area and the Pagal Nala is a frequent landslide-prone area.