Heavy Landslide strikes Shimla’s Bothwell area near Sanjauli College sgain; Several houses under threat
Heavy Landslide strikes Shimla’s Bothwell area near Sanjauli College sgain; Several houses under threat
Shimla, July 11,
A major landslide struck the Bothwell area near Sanjauli College in Shimla during the early hours of Saturday, triggering panic among residents and placing several houses under imminent threat.
The landslide occurred at around 4 a.m. while most residents were asleep. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported, but the incident has severely endangered several residential buildings in the locality.
The landslide took place along the road leading to Sanjauli College, where the retaining slope beneath the road collapsed, sending debris towards houses located below. The pathway providing access to the affected homes has also been damaged and partially washed away.
According to local residents, three to four residential buildings are now at risk, raising fears of further slope failure if heavy rainfall continues. Alarmed by the incident, families came out of their homes in the early hours and remained outdoors in the rain, fearing additional landslides.
Residents said they repeatedly contacted the authorities for assistance. Police personnel later reached the site and advised families living in vulnerable houses to evacuate as a precaution. However, many affected families said they had no alternative accommodation and were uncertain where to relocate.
Locals also alleged that despite repeated calls to their ward councillor, MLA, Mayor and other public representatives since early morning, no elected representative had visited the site by the time of reporting.
Residents further claimed that the landslide may have been triggered by excavation carried out for a private construction project after obtaining permission from the Municipal Corporation. They alleged that continuous monsoon rainfall had weakened the excavated hillside, resulting in the slope’s collapse.
The affected families have demanded that the ongoing construction work be stopped immediately and that a detailed geotechnical and geological assessment of the area be carried out to determine the stability of the slope. They also urged the administration to provide immediate relief, ensure public safety, and take preventive measures before further damage occurs.
Residents expressed concern that the monsoon season has only just begun and warned that unless urgent mitigation measures are implemented, the area could witness even larger landslides in the coming weeks.
Notably, the same location had witnessed a major landslide on June 28, 2025, when huge volumes of debris and boulders crashed into residential houses, trapping several women and children inside. The recurrence of another landslide at the same site has once again heightened fear and anxiety among residents of the locality.
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