Leh toll 183, around 200 still missing
By IANSThursday, August 12, 2010
SRINAGAR - The toll in the devastating flash floods caused by the sudden cloudburst in Leh town in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ladakh region went up Thursday to 183, including five foreigners, while around 200 people were still missing, officials said.
A total of 163 foreigners were on the “lookout list” since they had not reported back to their hotels and lodgings, officials said, clarifying that they were not among the list of missing.
“We have recovered 183 bodies so far, including five foreigners,” Kashmir zone Inspector General of Police Farooq Ahmad told IANS.
The five comprise two Frenchmen, one Spanish, one Italian and one Romanian national.
The cloudburst occurred Friday midnight at Choglamsar village, which is situated above Leh town, causing flash floods and mudslides that washed away government offices, paramilitary camps and residential homes.
Among the worst hit were the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), many local hotels and shops.
The headquarters of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a government polytechnic, an ITBP camp, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp, some government offices and the main transmitter of the All India Radio Leh have been extensively damaged.
Situated at 3,524 m above sea level, Leh is spread over 45,110 sq km comprising the main town and 12 adjacent villages. Leh is 434 km from Srinagar and 474 km from Manali.
