New Delhi (Agency): Shimla – Himachal Pradesh, a northern Indian state, faced a tragic incident as a result of intense rains, causing several landslides and taking away 35 lives. Among the affected, 14 people were caught in two landslides in Shimla, the state’s capital.
The devastating rain led to a tragic event at the Shiv temple in Shimla’s Summer Hill area. The temple, filled with worshippers during the sacred month of Sawan, collapsed. Officials worry the death toll may climb as rescue teams continue their search for survivors under the debris.
Shimla’s police chief, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, reported that in another landslide in the Fagli area of Shimla, five individuals have been found dead so far, but 17 were rescued.
As described by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, “Distressing news has emerged from Shimla, where the Shiv Mandir at Summer Hill collapsed as a result of the heavy rainfall.” He conveyed his sorrow on a social media platform, emphasizing the hard work of the local administration in the rescue operations.
In a show of support and concern, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated the tragic loss of lives as “extremely distressing”. He confirmed that teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are actively involved in relief efforts in the region.
Amidst the disaster, many regions of Shimla experienced power outages. Landslides and fallen trees severely affected electrical lines. The state’s Governor, Shiv Pratap Shukla, took the time to visit the impacted areas.
Apart from Shimla, the district of Hamirpur also reported four deaths due to the relentless downpour. With roads, houses, and lives being affected, local authorities have urged residents to remain cautious.
Since Sunday, the rain has been unyielding. Roads, especially the essential Shimla-Chandigarh route, have been disrupted. The state’s emergency operation centre has reported that a staggering 752 roads have been blocked due to landslides and other related issues.
The weather department has issued a warning for continued heavy rains for the upcoming Tuesday and anticipates persistent rainy conditions until August 18.
Financially, the state has already incurred massive losses since the monsoon’s onset on June 24. The state emergency operation centre estimated a loss of around Rs 7,171 crore. Additionally, there have been 170 recorded incidents of landslides and cloudbursts during this monsoon season, damaging approximately 9,600 homes either partially or entirely.
Residents and officials alike are hoping for relief from the rains and praying for the safety of all involved.
