Torrential rain triggers landslides, highways, Kalka- Shimla railway section blocked

Torrential rain triggers landslides, highways, Kalka- Shimla railway section blocked

Solan/Shimla, July 10

Torrential rain in the past 24 hours has resulted in landslides and severe disruptions to transportation and telecommunication services in the Kalka-Shimla region. The continuous rain has thrown normal life out of gear, impacting the daily routines of residents. The district has experienced swollen rivers and rivulets, particularly in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial belt of Solan district, leading to the suspension of vehicular traffic on the Industrial Township Baddi and Nalagarh highway as directed by the district administration.

The Kalka-Shimla Railway section, a world heritage site, has also been affected by landslides, prompting Northern Railway authorities to suspend railway traffic. Efforts are underway to clear the track and restore normal train operations on the section.

The heavy rains have caused extensive damage to public property, and authorities have issued alerts urging people to avoid unnecessary travel on roads. Landslides have blocked various roads, including NH-05 near Koti, resulting in the cancellation of train services on the affected section. Internal roads such as Kasauli-Dharampur, Kunihar-Subathu, Arki-Manju, Darla-Mangal, Subathu-Solan, Barotiwala-Subathu, Dharampur-Subathu, and Nalagarh-Kunihar, as well as Solan-Rajgarh, Oachghat-Sultanpur, and Kandaghat-Chail, have also been severely affected by landslides in Arki, Nalagarh, Kandaghat, Kasauli, and Solan sub-divisions of the district.

Also read:Nature’s Wrath: Heavy rainfall brings Himachal Pradesh to standstill”

Reports indicate significant damage to standing crops, including maize, tomato, paddy, and peas, on numerous acres of land across the district. Additionally, a substantial amount of land has been washed away along the rivers.

Authorities are working diligently to address the situation and restore normalcy, while urging residents to exercise caution and stay safe during this period of heavy rainfall and associated hazards.

Meanwhile, solan deputy commissioner Manmohan Sharma said on Monday that he has issued instructions to all the SDMs to keep strict vigil in the respective sub divisions and ensure all possible help to the victim, if any in the region.