Leh town worst hit after cloudburst leads to flash flood, water-logging

Army, ITBP move out; heavy damage to property
4 feared dead, one body recovered in Kargil mishap

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 22: Army, ITBP and Police moved out in Leh town as cloudburst triggered flash floods in several localities last midnight causing heavy damage to houses, commercial establishments, religious places etc and leading to suspension of traffic in interiors but there were no casualties.

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In neighbouring Kargil district of Ladakh, four persons including three hailing from Doda were feared dead while fifth body was recovered after a car they were travelling in last midnight fell into Shingo river when they were on their way from Drass to Kargil.
Officials told the Excelsior that a cloudburst triggered flash floods inundating several localities in Leh town around 11 pm last night. The localities were waterlogged and filled with mud. Water and mud also entered many houses, business establishments and some religious places causing extensive damage to them.
The Ladakh UT administration headed by Lieutenant Governor Brig (Retd) BD Mishra immediately swung into action and Army, ITBP and Ladakh Police join the operation along with men and machinery from Works and other departments to clear flood waters and mud from the houses and other buildings.
“The clearance operations were still on. People also joined in large numbers to clear mud and water from their houses,” the officials said and admitted that though there was no loss of life, heavy damage has been caused to houses, establishments, some religious places, parked vehicles etc.
A series of tweets by Office of the Lt Governor Ladakh said: “Amid flash floods and heavy rain in Ladakh on the night of 21st July, many locations have witnessed complete washing away of roads, heavy mud sludge and blockage of routes.

“In the face of disaster, we experienced exemplary collaboration between the Armed Force in Ladakh, the concerned departments of civil administration and volunteers from across Ladakh in dealing with aftermath of flash floods and heavy rain”.
The LG Ladakh expressed deep appreciation towards the jawans of Leh-based 14 Corps, BRO, ITBP, PWD and Mechanical departments of Leh and local volunteers for their prompt action and service to the people.
A cloudburst triggered flash floods in the Union Territory of Ladakh, causing debris to flow into the main market area and throwing life out of gear, but there are no reports of any loss of life, officials said.
The cloudburst hit the Gangles area of the Union territory and left several parts of Leh town inundated, the officials said.
Rescue and rehabilitation work was underway in Leh town, especially in Khakshal, Sanker, Skampari, Chhubi, Zangsti and the main market Gonpa Soma areas.
Columns of the Army undertook a flood relief operation in the upper reaches of Leh town and opened the passage for 70 stranded civilian vehicles, besides assisting in the removal of mud and slush from 30 residential buildings.
The flash floods caused heavy damage in the upper regions of Skimpri village, the Lamdon School area and adjoining places. Army personnel worked round the clock to provide all necessary assistance and support to the civilians.
As a result of the flash floods, a programme of the Dalai Lama in Leh was postponed, the officials said, adding that some shops were damaged in the Gangles area and there was a lot of debris in the Chokhang Vihara area.
Many tourists, including foreigners, lent a helping hand and were seen cleaning the main market area following the flash flood.
President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association Thupstan Chhewang said soon after the flash floods struck, Army personnel arrived voluntarily and helped minimise the damage. “I want to thank the Army,” he added.
“Since the morning, hundreds of Buddhists, Muslims, and foreigners have rendered their services, which also indicates religious harmony and unity in Ladakh. All of these people have come voluntarily to help in the restoration work,” Chhewang said.
He said Chogam Vihara is a low-lying area and so water and debris entered buildings like their meeting hall, causing damage to furniture etc.
“There is more than six inches of mud. Though there is not much loss economically, this is a lesson for us for the future. The UT administration will have to think over it and rectify the drainage system, which is in shambles,” he said.
Ladakh Police, meanwhile, requested the general public, civil societies and volunteers of various organisations to aid the police and civil administration in rescue efforts so that normal life and traffic regulations are resumed at the earliest.
BJP MP from Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgayal and Hill Council Chairman-Cum-CEC Tashi Gyalson along with others also visited several localities affected by flash flood and ordered intensification of clearance operations to restore normal life and traffic in interiors.
Meanwhile, a vehicle bearing registration No. 2015 JK16 which was on way from Drass to Kargil last midnight rolled down into river Shingo, about 22 kilometres from Kargil last midnight.
A local contractor had hired three labourers from Doda at Drass and one of them suddenly fell ill. The contractor along with three labourers of Doda and driver of the vehicle were heading towards Kargil for treatment of the ill person when the vehicle went down into the river which was swollen because of Monsoon season.
A search operation was launched this morning at the spot where mobile telephones of the victims were found last working. Later, a tyre of the vehicle came out. Rescue teams brought out the vehicle and found dead body of driver Mushtaq Ahmed of Kangan in Ganderbal district inside it.
Four others were missing and feared dead.
They include Shabbir Ahmed son of Sharajdeen of Holiyal, Drass, contractor; Irshad Ahmed, Abdul Qayoom and Ajaz Qazi, all residents of Doda.
Police, SDRF and other agencies, however, continued searches for the victims.
Meanwhile, flash flood has also caused damage in areas of Sankoo sub division in Kargil district. The district administration has set up a committee to assess damages.

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