Leh floods: 137 dead,rescuers struggle in remote areas

Roads and bridges to far-flung areas have either been washed away or severely damaged. The death toll is expected to rise as bodies are being pulled out of the rubble. The heavy carpet of mud and slush that has settled over buildings were painstakingly being removed by the workers. The consequences of this natural calamity was ominous,authorities said.

Many deaths happened in a labour camp of the Military Engineering Services in Phyang where more than 250 workers stayed. They were on road construction projects in the general area. Scores are still missing at the labour camp and several Army teams are on the spot for rescue work.

The Army is still missing 33 soldiers in the Turtuk area. The jawans went missing after their camp on the riverside was washed away.

The other area badly affected is Sabu village near Leh,directly above which the cloudburst took place. Most houses in the village have been flattened and it has been cut off from the road head. Local authorities fear the death toll will go up drastically as rescue workers were digging through the debris. Chuglomsar,which is downstream from Sabu,has also been badly affected.

While all road links to Leh are still cut off,the airport has been used extensively since Saturday morning and five relief aircraft,including two IL 76,have landed with medical supplies,relief workers,tents and other rescue material. A team of the National Disaster Relief Force has also landed in Leh and has been rushed to the affected areas.

Even as local workers and Army jawans are involved in rescue efforts,scores of foreign tourists also pitched in. They formed teams to help local authorities. Several NGOs have roped in foreign tourists to provide relief material and shelter to the affected persons.

Civilian flights have also started operating.

Friends and families of tourists in the area may call up for news on the satellite phone number 00870763613623,the Jammu and Kashmir Government has said.