Monsoon Havoc In Himachal- 65 reported Dead in Coud Burst

Over 65 persons were feared to have been washed away in flashfloods caused by a cloudburst in Ghanvi village, about 175 km from here, this evening. So far four bodies have been recovered.

According to initial reports reaching here, 14 houses were swept away and 13 partially damaged by the gushing water and debris, which came down from Dharla village located uphill. There were a large number of labourers working at the Ghanvi Project (Stage-I) who lived in hutments.

A primary health centre building and a residence of a doctor were also washed away. Some employees and students, who lived in rented accommodations, were also feared to have been killed. Exact details were not available as the village had been cut off with flood waters washing away roads.

Deputy Commissioner Tarun Kapoor said there were around 100 persons, mostly labourers, who lived in temporary hutments and around 15 houses of villagers. All approaches to the area had been blocked due to landslides and exact information would be available only in the morning.

The local subdivisional magistrate was camping at Juri and rescue teams had been sent to the village.

The Ghanvi power plant was shut down as the level of silt rose to 15,000 ppm due to flashfloods. The 300-MW Baspa Project was also closed due to high silt level.