A devastating landslide in Krishna Nagar, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, has claimed two lives and left several individuals feared trapped under the debris. The incident occurred on Tuesday, prompting swift action from authorities.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu arrived at the scene to assess the situation. He revealed that the Shimla Municipal Corporation had already evacuated numerous residents from houses displaying cracks. One body has been recovered, and efforts are underway to retrieve the other.
Chief Minister Sukhu praised the timely actions of the Shimla Municipal Corporation, preventing a more extensive tragedy. “Two deaths are confirmed, one body has been recovered, and the body of the other is being taken out,” he reported.
Prior to the landslide, residents had observed cracks in structures, prompting many to vacate their homes. A significant rescue operation involving ITBP, SDRF, district police, and other agencies was launched. While approximately 40-50 individuals were successfully evacuated, an estimated 5-10 people remain trapped.
An eyewitness, Bittu Panna, a local Councillor, recounted the frantic efforts to evacuate endangered residents. “Nearly 20-25 houses have been vacated, and around 50 people have been rescued and shifted to safe places,” Panna shared.
The state of Himachal Pradesh has been grappling with severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall triggering landslides and cloudbursts that have blocked roads. Chief Minister Sukhu revealed that the previous day had seen 51 deaths reported, with an additional nine casualties today.
To address the ongoing crisis, Chief Minister Sukhu announced the closure of educational institutions due to blocked roads. He also appealed to residents to promptly vacate structures displaying cracks. Financial assistance for rebuilding damaged houses was also assured.
The region’s challenges continue as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. A “red alert” has been issued for these hilly states, later expected to be reduced to an “orange alert.” Amidst this turmoil, local authorities and rescue teams remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the affected population.