Rains trigger flashfloods in Manali, seven vehicles washed away

The administration has also asked people to stay alert as the state meteorological centre has predicted more rains in Himachal Pradesh for the next three days.

A flashflood triggered by torrential rains wreaked havoc in Bran village, around 5km from a tourist resort in Manali, Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. At lease seven vehicles including six cars and a motorbike was washed away in the flood. Heavy flow of the debris also blocked the Kullu- Manali National Highway causing traffic jam.

Seven vehicles including six cars and a motorbike was washed away in the flood. (HT Photo)

A public works department (PWD) team has been working to open the highway for traffic since morning. The traffic on the national highway has now been diverted from the left bank of the Beas. Manali sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Raman Gharsanghi said,“Flashfloods occurred in Bran Nullah in Manali at around 3 am and swept away vehicles parked on the roadside.”

“Public property worth crores was also damaged,” he said, adding that at least seven vehicles were washed away. Two roads, six footbridges, a water supply line, irrigation channel and a watermill was also damaged. “No loss of life has been reported so far,” the SDM said.

He also said the administration has evacuated the houses near Nullah and residents have been moved to safer places. The administration has also asked people to stay alert as the state meteorological centre has predicted more rains in Himachal Pradesh for the next three days.

Heavy flow of the debris also blocked the Kullu- Manali National Highway

Four labourers hurt in wall collapse

As many as four labourers were hurt when a retaining wall of the house collapsed in the outskirts of Shimla’s Jhajot locality. All four labourers Vinod Kumar, Darshan Singh, Balbir Singh and Mehar Chand were working at Jahjot when a retaining wall collapsed.

Mehar Chand sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Indira Gandhi Medical hospital while three others with minor injuries were taken to private hospital nearby Panthaghati. Deputy commissioner Amit Kashyap disbursed Rs10,000 as immediate relief to Mehar Chand while the rest were given ₹5,000 each.