50 feared dead as two HRTC buses washed away in landslide in Mandi

SHIMLA: Around 50 people are feared dead after two

HRTC buses

were washed away after a

massive landslide

in

Kotroopi area

of

Mandi district

early on Sunday. While one bus was on its way to Chamba from Manali, another was on its way to Katra in Jammu from Manali. One of the buses went down around a kilometre. The bodies found were headless and amputated, as per versions of the locals.

Chief minister Virbhadra Singh reached Kotroopi village to oversee the rescue operation.

Confirming the development,

Himachal Pradesh

transport minister G S Bali said that around 50 people are feared to have been washed away in the incident. Rescue operation has been under way since 2am, he said, adding, one bus was going to Chamba while another to Katra from Manali when the incident took place.

The Mandi district administration received the information about the incidents around 12.35am and the rescue operation team was rushed to the spot. Around 250 meters-wide debris have blocked the busy national highway.

The administration has called the Army and NDRF teams for rescue operation as many people are still buried under debris. Mandi deputy commissioner, along with officials from administration and police is also camping at the spot.

Himachal landslide: Chief minister Virbhadra Singh at Kotroopi village to oversee rescue operation

Due to frequent landslides and falling boulders, taking road journey in Himachal Pradesh has become a risky affair especially along Chandigarh-Manali National Highway between Pandoh-Aut stretch, along Pathankot-Mandi National Highway between Jogindernagar and Mandi stretch and along Chandigarh-Shimla highway especially between Parwanoo and Solan.

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