Shimla, Aug 28
Heavy rains have triggered a significant landslide on Wednesday evening, leading to the collapse of a major section of the Richmount -Navbahar road near Machhi Wali Kothi.
The landslide also caused an old two-storey house, already declared unsafe, to collapse. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as the building was unoccupied.
The landslide has severely affected the movement of vehicles, with more than half of the road destroyed. Former ward councilor Dr. Kimi Sood highlighted that cracks had been appearing on the road for an extended period, exacerbated by recent rains. Despite several complaints lodged with the Municipal Corporation and Public Works Department by local residents, no substantial action was taken to address the issue.
According to local resident Karan Nanda, the Public Works Department made a belated attempt to start repair work on Wednesday afternoon, but the road collapsed later that evening. The situation has been further worsened by underground water seepage from a leaking drinking water line.
The landslide has also blocked the old forest Jakhu road between Richmond and Ramchandra Chowk, as well as the link road from Machhi Wali Kothi to the U.S. Club, effectively cutting off internal connectivity within the state capital.
In addition, cracks have also widened on the historic Ridge ground, particularly near the front of the Gaiety Theatre, raising concerns about further damage due to continuous rain. The ongoing construction under the Smart City Mission has also been hampered, with fresh cracks appearing in the Ridge ground’s middle section.
The relentless rainfall in past 48 hours has led to the uprooted 11 trees in various wards, including Summerhill, Chhota Shimla, Annadale, and Kusumpti.
A large Deodar tree fell on the Directorate of Information and Public Relations building in Chhota Shimla, severely damaging the roof and walls.
Landslides have occurred in several areas, with Summerhill being particularly affected, where fallen trees temporarily blocked traffic.
In the Mist Chamber area of Khalini ward, a dam supporting the foundation of a building has cracked due to the heavy rain, posing a serious threat to the structure.
Local authorities and councilors are actively working to restore roads and clear debris, but the situation remains precarious as many green trees in the city have become unstable and could fall.
Empower Independent Journalism – Join Us Today!
Dear Reader,
We’re committed to unbiased, in-depth journalism that uncovers truth and gives voice to the unheard. To sustain our mission, we need your help. Your contribution, no matter the size, fuels our research, reporting, and impact.
Stand with us in preserving independent journalism’s integrity and transparency. Support free press, diverse perspectives, and informed democracy.
Click [here] to join and be part of this vital endeavour.
Thank you for valuing independent journalism.
Warmly,
Vishal Sarin, Editor
