One killed, 9 feared washed away in Himachal flash flood

Shimla, July 28 (IANS) One person was killed and nine feared washed away in a flash flood in Himachal Pradesh's remote Lahaul-Spiti district early Wednesday, officials said.The disaster occurred in Udaipur, located on the Manali-Leh highway, and a crucial bridge on the Tozing rivulet was damaged. Reports say several vehicles, including tourists, have been stuck on the highway.One of the injured was referred to a government hospital in Kullu town.Rescue teams have reached the spot, some 60 km from district headquarters Keylong, a government official told IANS here.The government has already issued an advisory for tourists and locals to refrain from high mountains, wandering near rivers and other places vulnerable to landslides.The Mandi-Kullu-Manali national highway was also disconnected from Chandigarh due to landslides at several places ahead of Mandi town. Public transport and tourist vehicles were said to be stuck there.
--IANS vg/dpb