Shimla
At least seven people were washed away as heavy rains triggered flash floods in Himachal Pradesh on Monday with officials sounding a “high alert” for the state.
Three people were washed away in Beas near Manali on Sunday midnight after their vehicle fell into the river and two other people were washed away in Parbati river in Manikaran valley, while one young girl near Bajaura in Kullu district.
“As water level increased in rivers and streams following incessant rain, a man died after he was swept away in the swelling Nahad Khad (rivulet) in Kangra district,” the district administration said.
Tilak Raj, a resident of Luskwara village in Jawali tehsil, was swept away when he was crossing the rivulet Monday morning. Efforts were on to trace the body, the officials said.
In another incident, a 14-year-old girl was washed away in Kullu’s Bajaoura, state Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur said.
The minister visited several affected areas of Kullu district and met the family members of the deceased girl to express his grief.
Several houses were also swept away in flash floods as the Beas is flowing at a dangerous level, he said, cautioning people against going near rivers and nullahs for collecting wood, gravel etc.
Thakur also honoured Indian Air Force squadron leader Vipul Goel and his team Monday for rescuing, with the help of a chopper, 19 people stranded due to flash floods at Dobi in Kullu district on Sunday.
Deputy Commissioner Yunus has issued “high alert” for Kullu district.
Meanwhile, schools in most districts of the state were closed on Monday as a precautionary measure due to continuing moderate to heavy rains.
People residing in low-lying areas, especially in Kangra, Chamba, Kullu and Mandi districts, are being evacuated, officials said.
They are also being asked to remain alert due to rising water levels in rivers and streams, they said.