SHIMLA: Around 50 people are feared dead after two HRTC buses washed after a massive landslide in Kotroopi area of Mandi district early Sunday. While one bus was on its way to Chamba from Manali, another was on its way to Katra in Jammu from Manali.Confirming the development, Himachal Pradesh transport minister G S Bali said that around 50 people are feared to have been washed away in the incident. Rescue operation has been underway since 2 am, he said and added one bus was going to Chamba while another to Katra from Manali when the incident took place.Mandi district administration received the information about the incidents around 12.35 am and rescue operation team was rushed to the spot. Around 250 meters wide debris have blocked the busy national highway.Administration has called army and NDRF teams for rescue operation as many people are still buried under debris. Mandi deputy commissioner along with officials from administration and police is also camping at the spot.Due to frequent landslides and falling boulders, taking road journey in Himachal Pradesh has become a risky affair especially along Chandigarh-Manali national highway between Pandoh-Aut stretch, along Pathankot-Mandi national highway between Jogindernagar and Mandi stretch and along Chandigarh-Shimla highway especially between Parwanoo and Solan.

Source: Times of India August 13, 2017 03:22 UTC