HQ Team
August 15, 2023: More than 50 people died in a weekend landslide triggered by heavy rains in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, and the meteorological department has predicted more rains, according to the government.
The chief minister of Himachal Pradesh Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said “cloudburst and landslides” occurred at various regions of the state and buried homes and buildings.
“In the last 24 hours, 50 people have died in the state and more than 300 people have lost their lives after the onset of monsoon,” in July.
“The death toll might go up. Restoration work being done on a war footing. Chandigarh-Shimla 4-lane highway along with other arterial roads opened.”
‘Biggest disaster’
“This is the biggest disaster in the last 50 years as houses and roads have crumbled at many places all across the state,” he said.
More than 30 stranded tourists were rescued from Chandratal in Lahaul-Spiti district, the chief minister said. Horticulturists and farmers would get government help to transport their produce could be transported to markets.
The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted “heavy to very heavy rainfall” in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand region.
During the current monsoon season (from June 24, 2023, till date), Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a number of incidents of flash floods, landslides, and cloudbursts which affected all 12 districts in the state, according to the meteorological department. There were 30 landslide incidents reported.
On August 14, at around 0800 Hrs, a massive landslide occurred at Summer Hill area, Shiv Mandir, Shimla. About 13 persons are still missing.
Search and rescue operations are underway by the army, border police, reserve forces, police, and local administration, the department stated.
