Solan/Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) : About 22 people were killed in heavy rains and landslides in Himachal Pradesh as collapse of a temple in Shimla and a cloudburst in Solan took a heavy toll on Monday. Distressing news has emerged from Shimla, where the Shiv Mandir at Summer Hill collapsed as a result of the heavy rainfall and nine bodies have been retrieved, said CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Nine people were killed in this temple collapse, police said.
Of the 22 casualties so far, at least seven people – all from the same family - were killed and many people are feared trapped under the debris as a cloudburst wreaked havoc in the picturesque hills of Himachal Pradesh's Solan district on Sunday night. The calamity, which occurred around 1:30 a.m. in Jadon village, Dhawla sub-tehsil, approximately 60 kilometres from the state capital, triggered a flash flood and a devastating mudslide that engulfed the village.
According to available information, the cloud burst occurred at Jadon village in Mamligh, the home territory of Himachal Pradesh's Health Minister and Solan Assembly Constituency MLA, Dhaniram Shandil late on Sunday night. This event resulted in the entrapment of two houses and a cowshed, all owned by the same family. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Kandaghat, Siddharth Acharya, has officially confirmed this incident. Upon receiving the news, the local administration promptly arrived at the scene and coordinated rescue operations with the assistance of the community members.
Regrettably, the current toll stands at seven fatalities, as these individuals were taken out from the rubble. However, the natural disaster relief teams were quickly pressed into action and five individuals were successfully rescued from under the debris. Though the search and rescue mission perseveres despite intermittent rainfall, the senior officials of the state fear that there is a possibility of more deaths. The SDM of Kandaghat mentioned that reports have also indicated the presence of trapped livestock, and efforts are underway to rescue these animal.
The state's Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh, expressed his profound grief upon learning of the loss of lives and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. In a statement, he shared, "My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving families. We share in your pain and sorrow during this difficult time. We have directed the authorities to ensure all possible assistance and support to the affected families during this trying period."
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Rescue teams, bolstered by administrative personnel, rushed to the scene to lend a helping hand in the aftermath of the tragedy. In a display of unity and strength, the local community also joined forces in the rescue efforts. Amidst the debris, seven lives from a single family were lost, while the five individuals who were fortunately pulled from the rubble are currently undergoing treatment at Sayree Hospital.
