Cloudburst kills over a hundred people in India

Over a hundred people are feared dead following a cloudburst in Leh region of Ladakh along the Sindhu river in the north Indian state of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Jammu and Kashmir on Friday August 6, according to television and radio reports.  The cloudburst resulted in one of the worst floods in the history of Ladakh causing havoc in the region.

 

The old Leh town is worst affect in the flash floods. Fiftynine dead bodies have been recovered so far.  A 6,000 strong troops have been deployed for relief work.

 

The resultant flood has washed away a Central Reserve Police Force signal centre which is a federal paramilitary force deployed to fight terrorism in the region.  Communication with the rest of the world been affected badly.

 

Ladakh is also called the Indian Tibet.  Ladakh is a cold desert with high mountains inhabited mainly by Buddhists.  Ladakh is a favourite destination for western travelers and draws a sizeable number of tourists every year.