Shimla, September 19
A major landslide struck Shimla early Friday morning, blocking the city's main road and posing a threat to nearby buildings.
Authorities have declared one school shut for two days as a precautionary measure.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shimla announced the closure of the school, citing safety concerns. Public Works Department (PWD) teams have been deployed to clear the debris and restore road connectivity, though officials warn the site remains highly unsafe.
Vijay Kumar, a PWD driver operating an excavator and robotic equipment, said his team rushed to the spot in the early hours.
"The landslide occurred around 1:50 am. We were informed about it at 3:00 am and reached here by 3:30 am. Since early morning, we have been continuously working to clear the road. The building above is also at risk and could collapse at any time. Around 25 tippers and trucks are engaged in clearing the debris day and night," he told reporters.
The PWD supervisor added that the operation was proving extremely difficult due to heavy rainfall.
"We have been working here since 3:30 am with 20 tippers deployed permanently, some from our department and some from contractors. Our priority is to make the road through as quickly as possible so that the public does not face further problems. However, even if the road is cleared, traffic movement has been barred by the administration as the stretch is not safe. Vehicles cannot be allowed here. This morning at 7:15, there was again heavy rainfall, which has made the situation worse. The building above could collapse at any moment, causing further damage," he said.
Local administration confirmed that round-the-clock efforts are underway to stabilise the slope and prevent further landslides but warned residents and commuters to stay away from the area until conditions improve.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Kudos to the PWD team working in such dangerous conditions! They're risking their lives to keep us safe. Heavy rainfall makes everything so much more challenging. Stay safe, everyone!
This is why we need better urban planning in hill stations. Uncontrolled construction is making these areas vulnerable to such disasters. Authorities need to take stricter action.
I was supposed to travel to Shimla tomorrow. Should I cancel my trip? Does anyone know which road is affected exactly?
Good decision to close the school. Children's safety should always come first. Hope the administration provides alternative routes for commuters soon.
The PWD workers are the real heroes here - working since 3:30 AM in dangerous conditions with heavy rainfall. They deserve our respect and proper safety equipment.
While I appreciate the immediate response, I wish the administration had better preventive measures in place. These landslides aren't new to Shimla during monsoon. Better planning could have avoided this situation.
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