Landslides And Cloudbursts Claim Dozens Of Lives In Himachal Pradesh Amidst Heavy Rains

Shimla, August 15 (TNA) Heavy rains lashed Himachal Pradesh for over 55 hours, triggering landslides and cloudbursts that led to a tragic loss of lives. At least 48 people lost their lives across various districts, including Solan, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Chamba. The state government responded by cancelling all Independence Day celebrations.

A temple in Shimla's Summer Hill area collapsed during a morning aarti, resulting in the death of nine individuals. The temple, known as Prachin Shiv Mandir, collapsed due to a cloudburst, burying devotees who were present. The tragedy also affected the nearby Himachal Pradesh University staff quarters.

Local residents, including a lab technician named Kiran Chaudhary, were among the victims. The incident disrupted preparations for a traditional langar. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the site on foot since roads were damaged by the cloudburst. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed to aid in rescue operations.

The heavy rainfall led to the closure of numerous roads and caused damage to infrastructure, including distribution transformers and water supply routes. Dozens of vehicles were also damaged, and homes faced electricity and water outages.

The Chief Minister urged residents and tourists to avoid landslide-prone areas and declared a holiday for educational institutions. The state remains on high alert due to continued rain predictions until August 19.

In summary, the heavy rains caused landslides and cloudbursts across Himachal Pradesh, resulting in multiple casualties, disrupted infrastructure, and affecting daily life.