Five die in different incidents in HP after heavy snowfall

Shimla, Feb 8 (UNI) At least five people, including two youth and a woman, were killed due to avalanches and intense cold in Himachal Pradesh during the last 24 hrs.

Two children identified as Amar Chand, 16, and Robin Singh, 13, died as avalanches, triggered by heavy snow, swept mountain slopes in Sishu village in the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti, while in another incident a woman was reported missing at Pandar village in the remote Dodra Kawar area of Shimla district yesterday.

Official sources said two more succumbed to intense cold in Chamba town and in a village in the district today and added that more details were still awaited.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the state due to intense cold and accidents following inclement weather during this winter season has climbed to 16, official sources said and added that the number was set to increase as a few other deaths were yet to be accounted.

Several high and mid hills of the state continue to receive this season's heaviest snowfall with several areas in the tribal district of Chamba recording over 600 cm of snow during the last eight to 10 days.

A report from the district said an ITPB post in Guler di Mandi had accumulated 652 cm of snow followed by 480 cm in Langera, 270 cm each in Chahul and Mangali posts.

Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) posts at Bhanodi, Mesa, Alwas and Suela in the district had so far recorded about 650, 470, 375 and 310 cm of snow respectively in the last few days, affecting power, water supply and telecommunication system in the region.

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