2 washed away, 310 roads closed in Himachal rains

Two pilgrims have been washed away in flash floods and several roads were closed due to landslides, as heavy rains continue to affect normal life in Himachal Pradesh today.

As many as 310 roads were closed in several parts of the state efforts due to landslides. Efforts are on to clear the roads to resume normal traffic, a public works department (PWD) official said.

In Kinnaur district, two pilgrims were swept away in flash floods yesterday. The duo, identified as Kuldeep Thakur (32) of Shimla and Sangeeta More (43) of Pune, were part of more than 280 pilgrims who were going to pay obeisance at Kinnaur Kailash in the district, an official said.

Till this evening, the police and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have rescued as many as 260 pilgrims. At least 20 others are still stranded and the rescue operation is on, the official added.

Shimla zone was the worst affected with 221 roads, including 89 in Rampur and 73 in Rohru circle, were closed after landslides, an official said, adding that all the closed roads would most probably be cleared by tomorrow.

The Shimla district administration has advised people to stay away from Sutlej and Pabbar rivers, and nullahs of the district, as the water levels might instantly increase at any time due to rains.

Two bridges collapsed at Ribba village in Kinnaur district and a state highway was blocked in Udaipur sub-division of Lahaul and Spiti district, an official said.