People stand by the debris of a damaged house in Kargil some 235 kilometers from Leh in Ladakh, India-controlled Kashmir, August 6, 2010. [Xinhua]

Five villages are reported to be hit in the sudden downpour and flash floods. These included Sabu, Phyang, Nimoo, Choglumsar and Shapoo. Old Leh city is among the worst affected.

The army has pressed dozers and earth moving equipments of the Army into operations to clear the slide areas and restore communication links.

Television footage beamed by India's state-run television "DD News" showed scenes of collapsed buildings, residents knee-deep in mud scrabbling to come out.

The flash floods have also damaged a camp of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and left many personnel injured.

"A part of our camp was damaged and water has washed our stores. Some 50 CRPF personnel were injured but they have been rescued and are undergoing treatment," said Prabhakr Triphati, CRPF spokesman.

Ladakh is a high-altitude desert about 3,500 meters above sea level, and receives low rainfall.