Cloud burst in Chamba causes huge losses

Chamba, May 2 (UNI) Over 160 sheep, cattle and other livestock and vast stretches of land were washed away after a cloud burst in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh today, district SDM RK Gautam said.

About 20 houses in Othal village, about 22 km from here, in the district have been declared unsafe after the cloud burst, which damaged all standing crops in the village, he told UNI here.

Mr Guatam said there was, however, no loss of human life due to rains and cloud burst, which caused maximum damage in three gram panchayats of Pratho, Sahoo and Rajindu.

Over 160 sheep, cattle and other livestock and several hectare of agricultural land was washed away due to the cloud burst, which happened this evening, he said.

He estimated a loss of Rs one crore in the accident.

Chamba district Deputy Commissioner Pushpender Rajput was not available for comments despite best efforts to contact him, while district ADM Gopal Sharma was on leave.

UNI