News Analysis India

Tag: Flashfloods

  • Bridge, standing crops damaged in flash floods in Ladakh 

    By PTI

    LEH: A bridge and standing crops were damaged on Sunday in flash floods in several villages in Ladakh, where authorities sounded an alert after an outburst of an artificial lake resulted in blockage of the Zanskar river, officials said.

    Chief Executive Officer, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Sonam Chosjor said there was an outburst of an artificial lake near Rumbak village on Saturday, resulting in blockage of Zanskar river and thereby creating an artificial lake in the area.

    The officials said the artificial lake triggered flash floods early Sunday morning, damaging the Rumbak bridge and standing crops spread over a large area in the village and adjoining areas.

    However, there was no report of any casualty, the officials said, adding rescue teams are on the spot.

    The DDMA had issued an alert Sunday evening asking senior officers including chief engineer NHPC Nemo Basgo Project, sub-divisional magistrates of Liker and Khaltsi and Ladakh disaster response force to stay alert and prepared for flooding in the Indus river.

    The population living downstream Nemoo was also asked to prepare for flooding in the river, the officials said.

    They said the road approaching Rumbak, Zingchen, Yurutse and Rumchung has been cut off from the main road.

    Senior officers are monitoring the situation that is well under control, the officials said.

  • One dead, 10 missing in landslide and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH: Due to landslide triggered by heavy rains, one woman died and 10 persons are feared missing from the remote and high-altitude village of Boh in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Also, flash flood was reported from Bhagsunag area of Dharamsala, where flood waters swept through the streets and damaged cars of the tourists. Three national highways have been blocked because of this. The Central government has deployed NDRF teams to deal with the situation.

    Due to landslide in Boh, some 30 kilometres from Dharamsala, one woman died and ten are missing after debris fell on five to six houses. It is feared that people are  trapped inside those houses. The landslide occurred in the morning, but rescue teams could not reach by the evening, as the road to the area was blocked due to landslides. A few JCB machines had been deployed to clear the road, said sources.A police official said one body has been recovered. An accurate estimate of casualties can be made only after the rescue operation is over.

    ALSO READ | Three NDRF teams rushed to flash flood-affected regions of Himachal Pradesh

    Due to heavy monsoon rains, most of the rivers flowing from Dhauladhar hills were in full flow, causing flash floods in Bhagsunag area and lower Dharamsala. Due to encroachments on natural drains, the water swept through the streets and many cars parked there were damaged. Three houses and five shops in Bagli area on Dharamsala-Kangra road were damaged. The  road from Sheela to Bagli was also damaged.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah said NDRF teams had been deployed to deal with the situation in Himachal Pradesh. Shah has also spoken to Himachal Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, who expressed concern over the losses due to heavy rains in certain parts of the state. He has directed administrations of various districts to ensure speedy relief and rescue. He urged locals and tourists to refrain from going near the river banks.

    Road blockades slow down rescue operationIn Shimla, the national highway near Jhakri in the Rampur area has been blocked due to the heavy downpour. The Chandigarh-Manali and Pathankot-Mandi national highways are also blocked. These blockades have slowed down the rescue process, said officials