New Delhi: Twenty nine people have been killed in a temple collapse in Shimla as the state continues to be battered by heavy rains for over two days now.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu shared the distressing news about the Shiv Temple in the Summer Hill area, informing that local administration was working to clear the debris to rescue anyone who may be trapped inside.
VIDEO | "Tragedy has befallen Himachal Pradesh again, with continuous rainfall over the past 48 hours. I appeal to the residents and tourists to avoid areas prone to landslides. It's unfortunate that many lives have been lost," says Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on… pic.twitter.com/TXlMYSgqL8
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 14, 2023
Deputy Commissioner Aditya Negi told news agency PTI that 15 to 20 people were feared buried in two landslides in Shimla, and that rescue operations were underway.
Barely hours ago, seven people were killed in a cloudburst in Mamligh village in Solan district, while six were rescued.
The deceased were identified as Harnam, 38, Kamal Kishore, 35, Hemlata, 34, Rahul, 14, Neha, 12, Golu, 8, and Raksha, 12.
The monsoon season began in Himachal Pradesh on 24 June and the state has been the worst-affected in the country so far with 257 deaths, and a staggering monetary loss of Rs 7,020 crore.
News agency ANI reported that 66 people of the 257 lost their lives due to landslides and flash floods, 191 died in road accidents or due to other causes. Thirty-two 32 people are still missing and 290 were injured.
The recent heavy rains in Himachal and neighbouring Uttarakhand are due to a fresh spell of western disturbances, the Met office has said.
An India Meteorological Department statement said: “The location of the Monsoon trough lies along the foothills of the Himalayas, and hence the South-westerly Arabian Sea monsoonal winds are hitting the Himalayan foothills.”
Moderate to heavy rainfall will continue in the state with very heavy showers predicted in Chamba, Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Kullu, and Sirmaur. As also in the Beas, Ranjit Sagar, and the Pong dam catchment areas.