Flash floods damage roads, bridges in Kullu, Rampur

SHIMLA: Around half a dozen foot bridges in several areas of the Kutt panchayat in Shimla’s Rampur tehsil were damaged after rains caused flooding in local nullahs and rivulets.

Bridges connecting Kutt, Kyuncha and Kifni villages in Shimla district were also damaged. However, no loss of life was reported. “Ten houses were damaged in rains,”said Kutt panchayat pradhan Vijay Matet.

Flash floods also damaged roads and houses in Chalol and Rasol villages in Kullu district’s Manikaran.

Flooding in the nullah damaged a house in Rasol, while nine water mills were completely damaged due to heavy rains in the area.

Due to heavy precipitation in Dhundhi, 25km uphill the tourist town of Manali, roads were damaged. Dhundhi is the south portal of the strategic under construction Rohtang tunnel.

Heavy downpour in the area brought debris in the nullah and a water pump supplying water to the company executing tunnel construction was reportedly damaged.

Meanwhile, Mandi district administration has warned people not to venture near the Beas. “Water will be released from Pandoh dam in Mandi,” said deputy commissioner Rigved Thakur.

Water levels have also risen considerably in the Larji dam in Kullu district.

PROPERTY DESTROYED IN CHAMBA

DHARAMSHALA:HEAVY rains on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday triggered flash flood in Chamba district, causing extensive damage to public and private property.

The flash flood occurred in Seru Kau village of Chobiya panchayat in tribal Bharmour subdivision.

Bharmour additional district magistrate (ADM) PP Singh said that eight water mills and two spinning machines were washed away in the flashflood.

“However, there is no report of loss of life,” said Singh, adding that a team of revenue officials has been sent to assess the damage.

YOUTH DROWNS IN PALAMPUR RIVULET

Meanwhile, a 20-year-youth drowned in Neugal rivulet at Bhedu Mahadev in Palampur sub-division of Kangra district on Friday. The deceased identified as Saurabh Sharma, a resident of Isarana village of Sandhol tehsil in Mandi district. He had reportedly gone to take a bath in the stream with his friend.he was a BSC first year student at Shaheed Captain Vikram Batra College, Palampur.