Himachal Pradesh: Cloudburst in Shalakhar village of Kinnaur sweeps away area, no casualties so far

SHIMLA: A cloudburst incident at Shalkhar village under Pooh sub division of Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh has been reported due to which the area has been swept under flood water.
Shalkhar and Chango villages of Kinnaur are located 7 to 10 kms from Sumdo check post towards Pooh (in Lahaul-Spiti district) and located close to China border.
There have been no casualties so far. The road is completely closed and movement of vehicles has been stopped from Sumdo and Nako sides towards Shalkhar.
According to sources, the incident occurred late Monday evening and flooded around 8 nullahs of the area due to which panic gripped the villages.
While the flood water and slush entered many houses, some vehicles were also buried.
Sources said that since afternoon, the area was witnessing heavy rainfall and in the evening around around 6pm, all the nullahs were flooded due to cloudburst in the higher reaches leaving the Shalkhar village submerged in the water and slush.
Zila Parishad member Shanta Kumar Negi said that damage to public property has yet to be assessed as road connectivity to Shalkhar is snapped.
He said that while Shalkhar has suffered maximum damage, Chango has also suffered damages and a bridge leading towards the monastery has been washed away. He said that its not known whether the flood has affected Sumra, the last village towards Spiti.