HP flood toll rises to 147

Heavy rains on Monday night caused flash floods that washed away seven more people in Kanda village near Sungra, raising those believed to have drowned in the floods in Himachal Pradesh to 147. Rescue operations were continuing on a war footing at Chirgaon in Shimla district and at Wangtu in Kinnaur district.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who visited Chirgaon area on Wednesday, where at least 111 people were reported missing, sanctioned Rs 20 million for relief and restoration work.

Singh also conducted an aerial survey of the flood-ravaged areas in Kinnaur district and apprised Union Agriculture Minister Chaturanan Mishra of the situation, requesting for the immediate release of Rs 500 million as central assistance. Singh also urged Mishra to immediately send a central team to the affected areas to assess loss of property.

Singh walked about three kms and covered the rest of the distance to Chirgaon from Rohru on motorcycle. He met affected families and issued instructions to deputy commissioners and public works authorities to ensure smooth relief operations.

Talking to the media persons later at Rohru, Virbhadra Singh said the floods had caused a loss of over Rs 2.5 billion, according to preliminary survey. He said Jigah valley and the catchment areas of the Andhra Khud had been damaged badly and over 11 bridges had been washed away in the area.

The chief minister said the Andhra power house had been flooded and its tank had silted up.

Half of Chirgaon Bazar has been washed away and several families were wiped out in the floods, according to reports received in Shimla.

Singh also talked to Union Surface and Transport Minister T G Venkatraman and has urged him to provide immediate assistance to the state government for restoration of national highways 21 and 22, which were badly damaged.

Some bodies were reportedly seen floating in the Pabbar river flowing through the area. Eleven bodies had been recovered from the river at various places. Fourteen government buildings and a number of private buildings were damaged or destroyed by to the floods.

The Sutlej was still rising at Wangtu where water has been blocked, threatening inhabitants on the river banks. Some people have taken refuge in the hills.

Wangtu bridge, a vital link for the tribal district of Kinnaur and the Spiti area, submerged under the Sutlej waters and is believed to be damaged. Five more bridges have been washed away in the area. The power house at Nogli near Rampur in Shimla district has also been damaged.