Monsoon fury leaves Himachal battered; Sirmaur landslide raises fears of three trapped
Shimla, Aug 18
Heavy monsoon rain disrupted normal life across Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, triggering landslides, damaging public utilities and disrupting road connectivity, power supply and water schemes, while two separate incidents in Sirmaur district raised fears of casualties.
Three people are feared trapped under massive debris following a landslide at a mining site at Tilordhar (Bangandhar) near Kafota in Sirmaur. A local driver and two Nepali labourers are reportedly missing after a large portion of the hillside suddenly collapsed during heavy rain. Two vehicles were also damaged.
Rescue teams and the local administration reached the site and launched a search operation, but continuous rain and the threat of another landslide forced the operation to be suspended temporarily. SDM Shillai Jaspal is monitoring the rescue operation at the spot. The search is expected to resume once conditions become safe.
The incident has also raised questions over mining activity at the site, including whether the operation was being carried out with valid permission. The administration is expected to ascertain the facts through an investigation.
In another rain-related incident in Sirmaur, a fourth-grade student, Kavya, was injured when a portion of the ceiling plaster collapsed during classes at Lagnu Primary School in the Sangrah area. She was initially taken to CHC Sangrah and later referred to Dr Y.S. Parmar Government Medical College and Hospital, Nahan. The condition of the school building and the cause of the plaster collapse are being examined by the Education Department.
The incidents came as the State Emergency Operation Centre reported 88 roads blocked across Himachal Pradesh by 5 pm on Tuesday. The highest number of affected roads was reported in Mandi with 32, followed by Kullu 25, Sirmaur 10, Kangra six, Shimla six, Chamba four, Una four and Lahaul-Spiti one. The official report also recorded 12 disrupted distribution transformers and 19 water-supply schemes affected across the state.
A report just received from SP Shimla Gaurav Singh said that traffic is being diverted one-way due to a fallen tree near the Snow View Hotel near Tarahall.
Police are deployed at the scene and, in coordination with the relevant department, are ensuring smooth traffic flow. Drivers should exercise caution and follow police instructions.
In Shimla, traffic movement was affected at several places after trees fell and landslides occurred. The Tutikandi-ISBT route was partially affected by a fallen tree near the HRTC petrol pump, with only small vehicles able to pass temporarily. A restricted road near Chhota Shimla was completely closed after another tree fell, while traffic on the main road continued normally. At Tutu, a landslide near the MC parking also restricted traffic to small vehicles.
The India Meteorological Department recorded widespread light to moderate rain and isolated heavy rain during the 24 hours ending 8.30 am Tuesday. Kothi in Kullu received 70 mm, while Dharamsala, Kasauli, Kahu and Nahan recorded 50 mm each. The IMD also recorded 40 mm at Jot, 30 mm at Chuari and Sundernagar, and 20 mm at Dhaulakuan.
The official cumulative monsoon damage statement, covering June 30 to August 18, puts the number of deaths due to disasters at 200, with 313 persons injured and one person reported missing. In addition, 116 deaths have been recorded in road accidents during the monsoon, taking the combined toll from disaster-related incidents(84) and road accidents to 200.
Sirmaur has recorded 24 disaster-related deaths and road accident deaths during the monsoon period, including seven deaths attributed to disasters and 17 in road accidents. The official disaster-wise breakup shows two deaths due to drowning, two from snake bites, one from falling from a tree or steep rock and two under the “other” category.
The cumulative financial loss to the state has crossed Rs 1001 Crore the official statement, which includes major losses reported under public infrastructure and other sectors. The district-wise figures show Sirmaur’s cumulative loss at Rs 148.74 lakh, Shimla at Rs 217.05 lakh and Mandi at Rs 148.92 lakh.
The weather is expected to remain unsettled. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain at most places on August 18 and 19, with heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places on August 18 and heavy rain at isolated places on August 19. Heavy rain at isolated places is also likely on August 20 and 21.
Sirmaur is among the districts under a heavy-rain warning for August 18 and 19, while Shimla is also under a heavy-rain warning for both days. The IMD has warned that heavy to very heavy rain could trigger localized landslides and mudslides, flash floods, rising water levels, waterlogging, slippery roads, traffic congestion and damage to vulnerable structures.
The weather office has advised people to avoid landslide-, mudslide- and flash-flood-prone areas, maintain a safe distance from rivers, streams and nallas, follow traffic advisories and remain updated on weather warnings. Sustained winds of 30-40 kmph are also likely in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti from August 18 to 21, while thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are possible at isolated places over the low and middle hills.
With the monsoon system expected to remain active over the state for the next several days, authorities have been put on alert as fresh landslides, road blockages and disruption of essential services remain a possibility.
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