SRINAGAR: A cloudburst near Mina-2 in Minamarg, in Ladakh’s Drass sector, triggered flash floods and landslides on Friday evening, affecting four temporary shelters of Bakerwal families and forcing the temporary suspension of traffic on the Drass-Srinagar National Highway, officials said.
Police said around 20 members of Bakerwal families living in temporary shelters (deras) opposite Police Post Minamarg were affected by the flash floods.
Personnel from Police Post Minamarg immediately launched a rescue operation and safely evacuated all the affected families to the Police Post building and the Sheep Husbandry Department building at Minamarg. No casualties or injuries were reported.
A Wagon R vehicle was washed away in the flash floods. However, all its occupants escaped unhurt, officials said.
Traffic on the Drass-Srinagar National Highway has been temporarily suspended at the affected location. Police teams, assisted by road clearance machinery, are engaged in removing debris and restoring traffic.
District Police Drass has advised commuters, tourists and local residents to avoid crossing overflowing streams, water channels and other flood-prone areas and to exercise caution while travelling until normal conditions are restored.
