Himachal Pradesh: 45 people including 35 IIT Roorkee students missing in Lahaul Spiti

Sep 24 (AZINS) At least 45 people including 35 IIT Roorkee students have gone missing in Lahul Spiti of Himachal Pradesh.

Rajvir Singh, the father of one of the missing students Ankit Bhati, said that they had gone for trekking to Hamta trekking pass in Kullu and were supposed to return to Manali, but now they've lost contact, reported ANI.

Meanwhile, five people died and as many were injured in separate incidents as heavy rains lashed Kullu, Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh on Monday, the officials said.

Four people, including a girl, died in Kullu, while a man died in Kangra district as heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides in many parts of the state Monday.

Schools have been directed to remain closed in Kangra, Kullu and Hamirpur districts on Tuesday as a precautionary measure, they said. Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur visited several affected areas of Kullu and met the family members of the deceased to express his grief.

Several houses were also swept away in flash floods as the Beas is flowing at a dangerous level, he said, cautioning people against going near rivers and nullahs.

People residing in low-lying areas, especially in Kangra, Chamba, Kullu and Mandi districts, are being evacuated, officials said.

The Himachal cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, reviewed the losses and rehabilitation and rescue operations being undertaken in the state.

Most parts of Himachal Pradesh witnessed moderate to heavy rains on Monday too, Shimla MeT centre director Manmohan Singh said.

The weatherman further said that light to moderate rainfall would occur at scattered places over the mid and the low hills and at isolated places over the higher reaches of the state on September 25, and thereafter, the weather would almost be dry.