Friday, August 6, 2010

80 killed as massive cloudburst triggers flash floods in Leh

At least 80 people were killed and over 300 injured in flash floods in Leh area after heavy downpour triggered flash floods devastating Leh in the Ladakh region. 59 bodies have been recovered from the flooded areas, J and K Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda said. Among the dead were related stories three jawans of the Army Service Corps.

He said a massive rescue operation was underway involving the state police, paramilitary forces and the army in Leh town.

50 CRPF jawans were rescued from the flooded areas, Khoda said.

The BSNL network was completely damaged, besides the runway of the Leh airport, cutting off the town from the rest of the country.

The district hospital and two buildings housing offices of the Union Home Ministry were also affected.

Five villages have been hit in the sudden downpour and flashfloods. These included Choglumsar and Shapoo. Old Leh city was among the worst affected. The main bus stand was flattened.

Leh is located at a height of 11,500 feet above sea level, 424 kilometres from Srinagar. The worst hit was Choglumsar area, 13 kms from here, where 14 bodies were recovered, officials said.

Khoda said the toll may go up. "The actual damage will be known only after the water receded," another senior official said.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while expressing grief over the tragedy, has directed the civil and police administration to undertake relief and rescue work on a war footing.

All flights from Delhi to Leh have been cancelled.

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