29 Killed In Rain-Related Incidents In Himachal Pradesh, 9 Of Them In Shimla Landslide: Top Points

Rain Updates: Heavy downpours in Himachal Pradesh have caused massive damage to life and property with incidents of cloudbursts and landslides wreaking havoc in the hill state.

Rain triggered landslides wreak havoc in Himachal Pradesh.

Source : PTI

Rains have yet again wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh, weeks after causing massive damage to life and property in the hill state. Incessant rains have increased the water levels in rivers and triggered landslides killing many while the authorities battle to rescue people. On Monday, an incident of cloudburst killed around seven people in Solan while a temple collapsed in Shimla where many are feared trapped. Here are the top updates on the rain situation in the state: 

Top Points

Himachal Pradesh Rain

• At least 29 died and around 15 more are feared to be trapped under the Shiv temple which collapsed due to a landslide near Shiv Bawdi in Shimla Summer Hill in Himachal Pradesh. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said nine bodies have so far recovered from the site. According to PTI, Deputy Commissioner Aditya Negi said that 15 to 20 people are feared buried in two incidents of landslide in Shimla and that rescue operations are underway. Shimla SP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said that landslides struck a temple, posing a threat to nearby buildings.
• CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and state minister Vikramaditya Singh visited the site where the temple collapsed killing several people. "Distressing news has emerged from Shimla, where the Shiv Mandir at Summer Hill collapsed as a result of the heavy rainfall. As of now, nine bodies have been retrieved. The local administration is diligently working to clear the debris in order to rescue individuals who may still be trapped. Om Shanti," he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
• Earlier in the day, seven people died due to a cloudburst in Jadon village of Kandaghat subdivision in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu condoled the deaths and said, "We have directed the authorities to ensure all possible assistance and support to the affected families during this trying period."
• He tweeted, "Again tragedy has befallen Himachal Pradesh, with continuous rainfall over the past 48 hours. Reports of cloudbursts and landslides have emerged from various parts of the state resulting in loss of precious lives and property. I  urge the people to avoid areas prone to sliding and to stay away from water bodies."
• Meanwhile, torrential rainfall led to waterlogging in low-lying areas of Hamirpur in the state. 
• Heavy rains in the past 24 hours have triggered landslides leading to the blockage of several roads and an important Shimla-Chandigarh road which was closed for buses and trucks, reported PTI.
• In view of the heavy rains, CM Sukhu has announced the closure of schools and colleges in the state till Monday (August 14), as per PTI. 
• According to the state emergency operation centre, a total of 621 roads are currently closed for vehicular traffic. This includes, PTI stated, a maximum of 236 in Mandi, 59 in Shimla and 40 in Bilaspur district. 
• The weather department has predicted extremely heavy rains in nine out of 12 districts of the state, barring Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti on Monday and issued a yellow warning for Tuesday, reported PTI.
• The chief minister visited the site of the temple collapse in Shimla city's Summer Hill area and said all efforts are being made to rescue people buried underneath the debris.