MANALI/DHARAMSHALA: A shepherd and 116 livestock were killed after a huge mountain face collapsed in Sargha panchayat area of Nirmand subdivision in Kullu district on Monday afternoon. Police said as the region is too far from the village, they received the information late in the evening.Some shepherds were grazing sheep, goats and cattle near Humka village when the mountain face collapsed suddenly, said cops. As tonnes of debris and boulders came rolling down the hill side, many shepherds saved their lives by running from the spot but Bega Nand, a resident of Humka village, was buried under it. His body was later found embedded between uprooted deodar trees in the evening.Anni sub-divisional magistrate Chet Singh said, "Seven persons lost their livestock in the calamity. A total of 116 livestock, including 110 sheep and goats, three cows, two bullocks and a mule were killed. Relief amount has been handed over to the deceased's family members and owners of the dead animals."Though the monsoon has weakened in Himachal, incessant rains in July and August have loosened the mountains. Most parts of the state witnessed a sunny day on Monday. Shepherds had not expected rockslide as it was not raining in the area.In Dharamshala, death of cattle heads in villages adjacent to Pong dam in Kangra district has spread fear among residents. People allege that about 35 heads of cattle have died in the last four days and they fear that the disease may spread among human beings. Teams of veterinary doctors have toured the area and collected blood samples of sick animals. These would be sent for testing at a laboratory in Shimla."Around 35 heads of cattle have died in the last few days. People are scared that some unknown disease is causing deaths and that it could spread among humans," said Beena Devi, Dhameta village pradhan. A zila parishad leader said they had contacted the veterinary department on Monday, after which a team of doctors and other specialists started inspecting the area.Senior veterinary doctor Anju Vyas said, "Nothing can be ruled out at this moment. We are on the job and things can be ascertained only after a detailed investigation." It is mostly the milch cattle which have died and people are demanding compensation from the government. Most of the cattle deaths have happened in Dhameta, Fatehpur and Jawali areas of Kangra district.

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