The centralgovernment on Monday deployed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) asheavy rain in Himachal Pradesh led to flash floods in Kangra district, where 10locals were reported missing and one has died.
In upper Dharamsala, at least 10 parked cars, largely oftourists have washed away and houses were partially damaged in Bhagsunag.
Reviewing the ground situation in the state, Union HomeMinister Amit Shah spoke to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on the phone,assuring him that an NDRF team will be deployed to handle any exigency.
He said the Centre will provide all assistance needed totide over the crisis.
Dharamsala, nearly 250 km from the state capital Shimla,recorded precipitation of 184 mm, the highest ever during this monsoon. Thedamage to property was reported in villages located in the vicinity ofMcLeodganj, the political, cultural and spiritual hub of the Tibetan diaspora.
Kangra Senior Superintendent of Police Vimukt Ranjan toldthe media that one body was recovered from the debris in Boh village in Shahpursubdivision of the district where 10 villagers reportedly went missing in flash floods.
"We don't have exact information on casualties. Theextent of casualty and damage to the property will be known after the rescueworkers reach the site," he said.
Deputy Commissioner Nipun Jindal said all the access tothe village has been snapped due to landslides.
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Elsewhere in Kangra, three houses and five shops locatedalong a seasonal rivulet in the Gaggal area were damaged by gushing water. Thedamage to property was largely due to encroachments on rivulets, officials toldIANS.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director ManmohanSingh told IANS that heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was recorded at manyplaces in Kangra district. The rainfall was widespread across the state.
Palampur in Kangra district recorded 155 mm rain, thehighest in the state, while it was 48 mm in Dalhousie, 10 mm in Shimla and 55mm in tourist resort Manali.
The Chief Minister expressed grief over the loss of lifeand property due to heavy rain.
He directed the district authorities to ensure speedyrelief and rescue operations in the affected areas. He urged local people andtourists to refrain from going near the river banks to avoid any untowardincident.
The Pathankot-Mandi highway has been blocked for trafficdue to landslide at several places and minor damage to a bridge near Manali.
The weather bureau has forecast heavy rain at isolatedplaces in the state till Wednesday.
The southwest monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on June13 in its earliest onset in the past 21 years. Its normal arrival in the stateis June 26.