3 dead across J&K, four rescued

Three each missing in Dharamshala and Kullu; over 30 trekkers rescued in Lahaul-Spiti

- Dar Ovais

DHARAMSHALA: Five bodies have been recovered so far amid an ongoing search operation since several labourers were swept away by Wednesday's flash flood in Manuni Khad, in the Khanyara area near Dharamshala in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

Officials said two bodies were recovered late Wednesday evening while three more were found on Thursday.

Three persons are still missing while one, Loveli from Chamba, who fled to a nearby forest when the sudden flash flood occurred, has been rescued. According to the police, the deceased have been identified as Sanjay of Fatehpur in Nurpur, Chain Singh (20), a resident of Doda in Jammu and Kashmir; Aditya Thakur (20) from Chamba district; Pradeep Verma (50) and Chandan Kumar (35), both from Uttar Pradesh.

They were working at a small hydel project in Khanyara.

Officials said that due to heavy rainfall, the water in Manuni Khad increased suddenly and changed its course, hitting the labourers' shelter.

Loveli, who worked as a helper at the hydel project, said, "We were in shelter to have lunch when heard a loud sound. Some of us ran towards the forest. Others were left behind."