The death toll in Himachal Pradesh continues to climb as the state grapples with the aftermath of landslides, cloudbursts, and house collapses triggered by relentless heavy rains since Sunday night. The toll has surged to 53, leaving the region in mourning and raising concerns about safety and infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Tragedy struck the twin landslide sites at Summerhill and Fagli, where rescue operations have been in full swing. A total of 16 bodies have been recovered, with two additional casualties found within the collapsed Shiv temple in Shimla on Tuesday. Officials disclosed that fears linger for around 10 individuals believed to be buried beneath the debris at both Summerhill and Fagli sites.
The formidable response to the disaster includes efforts from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police. The rescue operations at Summerhill recommenced at 6 am, under the direction of Deputy Commissioner of Shimla, Aditya Negi. However, the previous night saw operations temporarily suspended due to the intensity of rainfall.
With a total of 11 bodies retrieved from the Shiv temple and five from Fagli, the gravity of the situation remains stark. Negi reiterated the ongoing concern, stating, “More than 10 people are feared still buried at the Shiv temple site.” The heart-wrenching incident at the crowded shrine unfolded at approximately 7:15 am, a critical moment during the holy month of Sawan when devotees were engaged in prayers.
The catastrophic impact of the disaster has not only taken lives but has also severely disrupted daily life and infrastructure. The Himachal Pradesh University responded by suspending teaching activities until August 19 due to the torrential rains causing landslides and road blockages. The university library will remain closed until August 20. However, teaching and non-teaching staff will continue to operate as usual.
In Mandi district alone, 19 individuals lost their lives in rain-related incidents. The calamity struck deep with a landslide in Seghli panchayat claiming seven lives, including that of a two-year-old child. Moreover, the Solan district reported the tragic loss of eleven lives. The devastating effects extended to infrastructure, as a cloudburst in Jadon village washed away two houses, leading to the loss of seven lives.
Beyond human casualties, the region has faced significant damage to its heritage and infrastructure. The renowned Shimla-Kalka railway line, a Unesco world heritage site, experienced destruction as a landslide swept away a 50-metre bridge near Shimla’s Summerhill. A substantial portion of the track is left hanging, signaling the extent of the damage.
The aftermath of the calamity is a grim reminder of the challenges posed by monsoon-induced disasters. With hundreds of roads blocked, transformers disrupted, and water supply schemes affected, the state has incurred losses amounting to Rs 7,171 crore since the onset of the monsoon on June 24. The ongoing monsoon season has seen 170 incidents of cloudbursts and landslides, resulting in around 9,600 houses being damaged across the state.
(Inputs from Tribune)
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Haseena Ayoob is a regular contributor of The Chenab Times.
