A significant tragedy unfolded in the Summerhill area of Shimla due to heavy rains, leading to a massive landslide that claimed the lives of at least nine individuals, while over 20 more remain trapped under debris.
The catastrophe occurred around 7:30am as tons of debris cascaded down a hill, catching worshippers off-guard at a temple who had gathered there for morning prayers.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu shared his dismay on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), revealing that the Shiv Mandir at Summer Hill had collapsed due to the relentless rainfall.
The toll stood at nine bodies recovered thus far, but efforts were underway by local authorities to meticulously clear the debris, holding hope of rescuing those still trapped in the aftermath.
Another grim incident transpired as a separate landslide near Lal Kothi in the Phagli locality potentially entombed more than a dozen individuals beneath the rubble. Swift action was initiated by emergency teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), to conduct rescue operations in the area.
The repercussions of the heavy downpour reverberated across the state, causing widespread destruction. Solan suffered a devastating loss of seven lives within a single family, while numerous individuals were reported missing in the Mandi district.
The onslaught of landslides and flash floods further compounded the crisis, rendering roads impassable and severing communication links.
According to the state’s disaster management authority, an alarming number of approximately 800 roads are obstructed statewide, with the highest count, 345, occurring in Mandi.
Key thoroughfares such as Kalka-Shimla, Kiratpur-Manali, Pathankot-Mandi, and Dharamshala-Shimla have been rendered inaccessible. In response to the perilous conditions, state authorities have cautioned against non-essential travel, acknowledging the heavy rainfall and issuing flash flood alerts.
