32 people killed following rains in HP

Shimla, Sep 20 (UNI) As many as 32 people were killed in house collapse, landslides and flooded rivulets in Shimla and Sirmour districts of Himachal Pradesh following incessant rains since last night, official sources said.

While 27 deaths occured in Shimla district, five casualities were reported in Sirmour district.Of the 27 casualities in Shimla district, nine people died in Theog, six in Chopal, five in Rohru,three in Shimla Rural, two each in Shimla Urban and Rampur.

More than 270 houses were completely damaged and another 160 houses partially in the wake of rains that caused spate of landslides,blocking the highway and interior roads in Shimla district.

About 52 cattleheads have perished in Chopal division where 25 watermills were washed away due to excessive rains.

An official spokesman said the State Government had sounded high alert placing entire government machinery in readiness to deal with any emergency caused by incessant rains for the past two days.

The spokesman said that 20 people who were marooned in Pattal Khud in Sirmour district were rescued. In another incident, nine people were rescued by the district administration from the Yamuna river at Poanta Sahib.

The spokesman said that directions have been given to all SDMs to utilise every channel at their command to rescue the stranded people and ensure safety of life and property of every individual.

Whereever necessary, the services of rapid response force, army and para-military forces besides police and Home Guard and voluntary organisations will be requisitioned.

UNI VKJ BK2046