At least 62 people have died in Himachal Pradesh after a cloudburst caused a landslide that buried an entire village near Rampur. The army has been called in to look for bodies in Dharla village, but heavy rain is still hampering rescue work.
Shimla, Aug 15 : At least 62 people have died in Himachal Pradesh after a cloudburst caused a landslide that buried an entire village near Rampur. The army has been called in to look for bodies in Dharla village, but heavy rain is still hampering rescue work.
Five to six bodies have been recovered so far, and around 55 people are still missing.
Most of the victims are labourers working on the construction of a Ghanvi hydroelectric power project on the Sutlej River in the area.
Officials said they don't expect any survivors, adding some of the bodies could already have been washed away in the river, which flows in a gorge below the village.
"Actually I think it is the whole small village which has vanished. Two government buildings have also been washed away. Everything has been damaged... rescue workers of the police force are there," said Vidya Stokes, State Power Minister who visited the area.
Huge boulders measuring 20 to 25-feet high came down during the landslides completely crushing the houses.
Sutlej, the main river in Himachal Pradesh, has been in full spate due to heavy showers over the past few days.
Its discharge has reached 1200 Cusecs, which is well above the danger level.
Large areas in the Sutluj's catchment are faced with gushing, rising waters and possible threats of flooding.
ANI