Nine shops washed away in Himachal cloudburst

    By IANS,

    Shimla: Nine shops were washed away in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, officials said here Saturday. However, no loss of human life has been reported.

    The cloudburst occurred at Baggi village, some 25 km from Mandi town, Friday night, an official told IANS.

    He said the affected people have been moved to safer places and provided ration and other essential items.

    Health Minister Kaul Singh, who is the local legislator, visited the spot and reviewed the relief and rescue operations.

    Monsoon rains have so far claimed 43 lives in the hill state and the damage to property is estimated at Rs.2,900 crore, a government spokesman said.