Shimla, July 29
A tragic landslide struck the Chandigarh-Shimla National Highway-5 near Parwanoo early this morning, resulting in one fatality and injuring three others.
The incident took place around 2:30 AM when a Bolero camper, registered in Punjab as PB 08CP-9686, was hit by a sudden landslide while en route from Chandigarh. The vehicle, which was carrying newspapers, sustained significant damage.
Devraj, a resident of Punjab, was seriously injured in the landslide and was quickly transferred from ESI Hospital in Parwanoo to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI). Unfortunately, he was declared dead upon arrival at PGI.
The other three passengers injured in the incident are currently being treated at ESI Hospital Parwanoo. Local authorities have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the landslide.
The landslide occurred near the “I Love Himachal” park in Parwanoo, a well-known landslide-prone area. This section of NH-5 is notorious for frequent landslides, posing significant risks to travelers.
Last monsoon season, similar incidents led to a three-month disruption of traffic on the highway, necessitating the diversion of vehicles to alternate routes.
Heavy rains last night exacerbated conditions across Himachal Pradesh, closing over 80 roads due to landslides in various locations.
A vehicle was buried under debris on the Mehli-Shoghi road in Shimla, further illustrating the widespread impact of the rainfall.
In Kinnaur district, cloudbursts caused significant damage. In Gyaabung and Ropa panchayats, debris inundated fields and gardens, damaging hundreds of apple plants and cash crops. In Ropa, Dharam Singh Mehta’s house was washed away, and Hari Singh’s home was filled with water and debris. Four irrigation canals of the Jal Shakti Department in Kinnaur also suffered substantial damage.
Repeated rockfalls at the Nigulsari block point in Kinnaur have caused intermittent closures of NH-5, further disrupting traffic.
These recurring landslides and rockfalls on NH-5 between Parwanoo and Shimla highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures and infrastructure reinforcement. Travelers are advised to monitor weather conditions and exercise extreme caution while navigating this hazardous highway.
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