Sunday, August 7 2005 15:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dehra Dun: At least 11 people were killed and hundreds rendered homeless when their houses were submerged in an artificial lake formed due to landslides triggered by heavy rains in Uttaranchal, official sources said today (August 7, 2005).

The Kailash Mansoravar yatra has also been disrupted due to landslides on the route. Chief Minister N D Tiwari has deputed a high-level team to assess the damage on the route and released Rs 10 crore for repair purposes.

The sources said eight members of a family at Rachi village in Pithoragarh district were buried alive when their house collapsed due to landslides that struck the area following heavy rainfall. Rescue teams have recovered four bodies so far.

In Chamoli district of Garhwal region, landslides killed two people, on way to the jungle to fetch fodder and wood.

In another incident, the Tehsildar of Pauri, Govind Singh Negi was killed and his six staff members, including Naib Tehsildar Mohan Singh Bhandari, was seriously injured when their jeep skidded off the road and fell into a ditch at Pundaridhar area of Pauri district last night (August 6, 2005).

Negi was on duty and was going to Berpani village when the mishap occurred, police sources said.

At Mudkot village in Munsyari area of Pithoragarh district, more than 40 houses were submerged in an artificial lake, formed due to landslides, prompting hundreds of people to leave the area.

The officials said all resident of the area have been shifted to the nearby Government inter college and all essential commodities are being provided to them.