Himachal Pradesh Rain: Two Dead, Many Feared Trapped As Several Houses Collapse In Shimla Landslide

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reached Shimla's Krishna Nagar area where several houses collapsed due to landslide killing one person, while many feared trapped.

Several houses collapsed as a result of landslide and incessant rainfall in Krishna Nagar Area of Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla on Tuesday. The state has been battered with incessant rains in the last two days causing damage to life and property. In a video shared by news agency ANI, several houses could be seen collapsing to rubble as people around could be heard shouting in despair. Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi said some people were feared trapped in those buildings and the rescue operation was underway, as per the news agency. 

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reached the spot and took stock of the situation. Speaking to the news agency, Sukhu informed that two people have been reported dead so far in the incident. 

"A total of 60 people have died in the state so far due to incessant rainfall. Educational Instituted will be closed tomorrow. Bodies are being recovered in the Summer Hill area as well. I request people to vacate their houses if any crack is developed," he said.

"Due to excessive rainfall, some houses have collapsed after a landslide took place. Some residents are feared trapped. Ambulance, NDRF, SDRF, State and District Police are here at the spot. The amount of loss is yet to be ascertained. Rescue operation is underway," Gandhi said. 

"Our primary focus is to rescue more and more people. One casualty has been reported so far. All agencies are working to rescue people. Around 10-15 houses have been vacated and shifted to safe places. Loss of property is yet to be ascertained,” he added. 

Himachal Pradesh Additional Director General Abhishek Trivedi said that around five to ten people are feared trapped while around 30-40 have been rescued. 

“ITBP, SDRF, district police and all other teams are present at the spot. A lot of rubble is there because the strata that fell from the top fell on the Municipal Corporation clutter house area which has completely collapsed,” Trivedi said. 

“We were informed by the people that the area has already developed cracks. Around 40-50 people were evacuated but we suspect around 5-10 people to be trapped. Rescue operation is underway," he added.