A
massive landslide in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district today demolished
multiple houses, potentially trapping numerous individuals in the debris.
Emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are actively engaged in rescue
operations.
The
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, forecasting
heavy to very heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh over the next 48 hours.
In
distressing visuals from Anni, Kullu, a substantial commercial building
succumbed to a catastrophic landslide. Notably, authorities had evacuated the
building two days earlier.
Continuing
rainfall has left many parts of the state grappling with severe weather
conditions. The Kullu-Mandi Highway has sustained damage, stranding hundreds of
vehicles. Senior Kullu police officer Sakshi Verma reported that the road
connecting Kullu and Mandi, as well as an alternative route via Pandoh, have
both been affected, leading to the suspension of traffic.
Relentless
rainfall has triggered landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods in this
ecologically sensitive region. The state government has declared the entire
state as a “natural calamity-affected area” and is actively assessing
the extent of damage while providing relief to affected residents. The ongoing
monsoon season has resulted in the closure of 709 roads and caused an estimated
₹8,014.61 crore in damage to public infrastructure since June 24.
State
government data indicates 2,022 houses fully damaged and 9,615 partially
damaged due to unprecedented rain. Additionally, 113 landslides have wreaked
havoc on infrastructure and displaced thousands. Tragically, the rains have
claimed the lives of 224 people, with an additional 117 fatalities reported in
rain-related accidents, according to a government bulletin.
