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Another Landslide In Himachal: Vehicles Buried Under Debris & Many Feared Dead In Kinnaur

by Sanjana Shenoy
Another Landslide In Himachal: Vehicles Buried Under Debris & Many Feared Dead In Kinnaur

Just a few days after the deadly video of landslide in Himachal left the country shocked, several tourists are feared dead in yet another landslide in Himachal’s Kinnaur. Several vehicles are feared buried after a landslide in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur many trapped under debris this afternoon. The landslide took place on the Reckong Peo-Shimla Highway in Kinnaur at around 12.45 pm today. A truck, a state-run bus, and few other vehicles are said to have been buried in the rubble. According to reports, the bus travelling to Shimla had 40 people on board. Rescue operations are underway and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had also been called in.

Himachal Witnesses Deadly Cloudburst

Himachal Pradesh has been witnessing a massive surge in tourists. With viral videos of crowded streets in Manali and the no social distancing scene in Mussoorie’s Kempty Falls, there has been a concern of a surge in Covid cases due to revenge travel. And now as a final warning to tourists, a massive cloudburst was reported near Dharamshala on July 12. This cloudburst triggered a flash flood which caused severe damage in various parts of the state. Flights have been cancelled and tourists have been asked to hold their travel plans to Himachal Pradesh. Here’s everything to know.

Dharamshala Witnesses Cloud Burst, Floods & Landslides

The popular tourist desination of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh recorded 79.4 mm of rainfall within 12 hours against the normal rainfall of 21.2mm. This massive cloudburst led to sudden flash floods and disruption of roads. A huge landslide blocked the Chandigarh -Manali National highway. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall and heavy downpour till July 14. As a precautionary measure, Dr Nipun Jindal, the Deputy Commissioner of Kangra stated on Twitter, “People are requested to postpone their travel plans to Dharamshala to avoid any inconvenience.” He added that tourists who are already in Dharamshala, must stay put as heavy rains might cause more traffic and damage roads.

Also Read: 5 Stargazing Spots In And Around Dharamshala That Will Leave You Spellbound

Also Read: Tired Of City Life, This Man Quit His High-Paying Job In Delhi & Built A Home In Dharamshala

Flights Cancelled & Tourists Asked To Avoid Travel

Moreover, tourists and locals have been warned to not venture out to the tourist spots and avoid all travels. All incoming flights to Dharamshala airport at Gaggal have also been cancelled. Earlier, many tourist vehicles and those belongig to locals were seen floating in the flash floods. Houses and buildings crumbled down as they got swept by heavy floods. Tourists must also not take the road back till the landslde has been cleared. According to Outlook India report, , Deputy Commissioner Lahaul Spiti Neeraj Kumar has alerted the district urging the tourists and locals to remain alert to natural calamities as a lot of adveture lovers and holiday makers were out in the area.

Also Read: The World’s Highest Village In Himachal Pradesh Vaccinated 100 Percent Of Citizens Above 44 Years

Himachal Pradesh Takes Disaster Response Measures

In the meantime, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur  revealed that two people died due to cloud burst, incessant rains and landslides in Himachal Pradesh in the past 24 hours. In Dharamshala, ten people are missing due to flash floods that cuased buildings to collapse. Deputy Commissioner Kangra Dr Nipun Jindal revealed to news agencies that disaster response measure shave been activitues at micro-levels. Affected peope have been given relief and shifted to temporary shelters. For tourists, this is undoubedly an obvious warning to avoid crowding hotspots in Himachal Pradesh.

First Published: August 11, 2021 2:48 PM