Dalai Lama to console Leh cloudburst victims

Friday, September 10, 2010

IANS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dharamsala-- Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will visit cloudburst-hit areas in Leh in Jammu and Kashmir next week to console relatives of those who died in the disaster, an official said here Friday.

'His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) will also offer special prayers at the Main Jokhang Cathedral in Leh Sep 13,' Chhime R. Chhoekyapa, secretary to the Dalai Lama, told IANS.

Later, the Nobel laureate will visit Kargil to address public gatherings. 'The Dalai Lama will address the followers in Kargil Sep 14 and 15,' he said.

A cloudburst occurred at Choglamsar village in Leh town Aug 6, causing flashfloods and mudslides that washed away government offices, paramilitary camps and residential homes. At least 183 people, including 35 army men, were killed in the natural disaster.