Himachal CM asks Lahaul-Spiti administration to expedite relief efforts for victims of landslide road accident
Chamba, July 24
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed grief over the death of 13 persons in a road accident at Karunallah in Lahaul-Spiti district on Friday. The ill-fated vehicle was on its way from Kullu to Pangi.
The Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti to proceed immediately to the incident site and supervise the rescue and relief operations. He also asked to provide all possible assistance to the next of kin of the deceased and best of treatment to the injured. He wished speedy recovery to the injured.
Bharmour MLA Janak Raj said a section of the mountain collapsed, causing their vehicle to plunge down a hillside.
He said people from his constituency lost their lives.
"Today, we received information that some people from the Pangi Valley in my constituency were heading towards Pangi. A section of the mountain collapsed, causing their vehicle to plunge down a hillside. Thirteen people lost their lives, while two others survived. A six-month-old child was among those who died," Janak Raj said.
He said district administrations of Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba have been asked to expedite the relief and rescue operations.
At least 13 people were killed after rocks from a landslide struck a four-wheeler vehicle near Kahudu Nala in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul and Spiti district on Friday, police said.
According to police, the incident took place in the Udaipur area and the rocks came down in an area near Kahudu Nala. The vehicle, driven by Bir Singh, was damaged in the incident.
Speaking with ANI over the phone, Lahaul-Spiti Superintendent of Police (SP) Shivani Mehla said the local administration have initiated rescue and relief operations.
"A road accident occurred near Kahudu Nala due to a rockfall. A Tata Sumo vehicle was hit by the falling rocks. Thirteen people have been killed in the incident. Police and the local administration have initiated rescue and relief operations, and the injured are being shifted for medical treatment. Further details are awaited," Mehla said.
She said the injured have been shifted for medical treatment.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So heartbreaking... a 6-month-old baby 😢 Living in Himachal, I know how dangerous these roads can be during monsoons. The government should install warning systems at known landslide spots and have emergency teams ready round the clock. Hats off to the local administration for rushing rescue teams.
A section of mountain collapsing is no joke. Pangi Valley people have been demanding better roads for years. This is not just about relief now - we need a long-term plan for safer connectivity in Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba. Tunnel or alternate routes maybe? Otherwise next monsoon, same story.
RIP to the departed 🙏 This is why we need to stop treating hill roads as afterthoughts. The CM and MLA are doing their job now, but what about preventive measures? Every year lives are lost due to landslides in Himachal. Sincere condolences to the families.
Our beautiful mountains can be so cruel 😞 Good to see SP Shivani Mehla personally updating the situation. But the real test will be how quickly compensation reaches families and how fast they repair this road. Thoughts with the survivors - that must be traumatic.
Feel for the driver Bir Singh too - imagine losing your vehicle and 13 lives in seconds. The monsoon season brings such unpredictable risks. Respect to the rescue teams working in tough terrain. Also glad they airlifted the injured. Hope the CM visits the spot personally.
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