Two killed in HP following heavy rains

Shimla, Aug 13 (UNI) Two people were killed in house collapse and about 150 jhugies washed away as widespread heavy rain lashed Himachal Pradesh for the third day today, disrupting normal life.

Two people were burried alive when a house collapsed at Nagaly village in Solan district early this morning. The deceased were identified as Jaspal Singh (24) and Naresh Kumar (23).

With these deaths, the toll in rain-related incidents rose to 14 during the past three days in the state.

About 150 jhugies of migrants residing along Suketi Khud were washed away at Sundernagar following heavy rains in Mandi district last evening. Water supply, telecommunication and electricity services were disrupted in many parts of the state.

The Shimla-Kalka National Highway was closed due to landslides at Jabli in Solan district. Hundereds of vehicles were stranded on both side of the road. The Hindustan-Tibet road was also closed for traffic due to landslides at Matiyana in Shimla district, police sources said.

Railway traffic on the Shimla-Kalka section was suspended following landslide at Koti near Dharampur in Solan district, according to railway officials.

The delivery of essential commodities, including milk and vegetables, and newspapers remained suspended in Shimla town.

The National Highway-21 was still closed for vehicular traffic due to landslides.

UNI