At least two peoplewere killed in a massive landslide on National Highway 5 in Himachal Pradesh'sKinnaur district on Wednesday, while 10 others were extricated as rescueoperations were launched to free others feared trapped in the debris, policesaid.
A truck, a state-runbus and other vehicles were buried in the landslide that occurred over a largestretch on the highway near Nigulsari, 61 km from Reckong Peo, the districtheadquarters of Kinnaur.
However, there was noofficial confirmation about the number of people missing in the disaster.
The Himachal RoadTransport Corporation bus was on its way to Hardwar from Rekong Peo via Shimla.
Local legislatorJagat Singh Negi said told the media that 25 passengers were in the bus. Thedriver of the bus was rescued and has been hospitalised.
Negi said thefrequent landslips are hampering the rescue operation.
Chief Minister JaiRam Thakur told reporters in Shimla that he directed the Kinnaur administrationto speed up relief and rescue operation.
"The exactcasualties in the landslide are yet to be ascertained. Sensing the gravity ofthe situation, the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) has been summonedfor rescuing the people," he said.
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Thakur and assured himof all possible help.
This is the secondmajor natural disaster in Kinnaur. Last month, nine people, most of themtourists, were killed by a landslide as boulders fell and hit the vehicle theywere travelling in.
This monsoon alsocaused major landslides in the state's Kangra district, claiming 10 lives.Terrifying videos capturing massive landslides in Sirmaur district are commonthese days.
Seven people died inthe exceptionally high rainfall across the cold desert of Lahaul-Spiti districton July 27-28. Keylong and Udaipur subdivision of the district faced 12incidents of flash flood after a cloudburst, in which the Tozing Nallah'simpact was devastating.