Monasteries in Leh not damaged in flash floods

All the monasteries in Buddhist-dominated Leh town in Ladakh region that was hit by flash floods are safe, a Tibetan official said in Dharamsala today.

All the monasteries in Buddhist-dominated Leh town in Ladakh region that was hit by flash floods are safe, a Tibetan official said in Dharamsala on Friday.

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At least 115 people have been killed and over 350 injured in the flash floods in Leh, triggered by a cloudburst that hit the town around midnight on Thursday.

"All the monasteries or gompas in Leh and its nearby areas are safe. But the loss of human lives is too big," Ngodup Dorjee, secretary home department, Tibetan government-in-exile, told IANS.

"We (the exiles) are deeply saddened by the loss of so many lives and property. I extend my sympathy and heartfelt condolences to all those families who have been affected by this natural disaster," he added.

The cloudburst occurred at Choglamsar village, which is situated above Leh. Flash floods and mudslides followed the cloudburst unleashing tragedy on the town.

Leh, situated at 3,524 mt above sea level, is spread over 45,110 sq km.