Pune pilgrim killed, three washed away in Himachal flashflood

Shimla, July 28 (IANS) A woman pilgrim from Pune in Maharashtra was washed away and three other persons were reported missing in a flashflood triggered by heavy rains in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday while they were on way to Kinner Kailash, police said.

While the deceased was identified as Sangeeta Morey, the three missing persons remained unidentified, a police official told IANS on the phone.

As many as 163 persons were rescued while 35 others are still stranded at different location en route Kinner Kailash.

Most pilgrims were trapped in the Ganesh park area near Kinner Kailash, dedicated to Lord Shiva's 79-foot vertical rock Shiva Lingam at a height of around 6,050 metres above average sea level.

The district administration deployed police, Home Guards and Indo-Tibetan Border Police jawans for search and rescue operation, Acting Deputy Commissioner Avninder Kumar said.

Kinner Kailash trek is considered the toughest as it takes at least two days to complete.

The pilgrimage is yet to start officially.

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