Himachal Pradesh: Several feared trapped as houses collapse due to landslides in Kullu

Several people are feared trapped in debris after a huge landslide in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday (August 24). The landslide in Kullu district destroyed several houses and videos and images circulated on social media appeared to show many multi-storeyed buildings collapsing.

An official said on Thursday that the Kullu-Mandi Highway in the state was damaged following heavy rainfall in the district. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the route.

A red alert warning of imminent heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in Himachal Pradesh for the next two days starting today.

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A commuter told the news agency ANI, "There is a traffic jam stretching to nearly 5-10 kilometres. We have nothing to eat or drink. People are starving here. The snarl should be cleared soon".

An official said the Public Works Department was trying to restore the normal flow of traffic at the earliest.

Sakshi Verma, Superintendent of Police, Kullu, said: "The road connecting Kullu and Mandi has been damaged. An alternative route via Pandoh has also been damaged. Hence, the movement of traffic is suspended for now."

Huge loss reported

According to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state has suffered losses of Rs120 billion so far amid continuing rains in several parts of Himachal Pradesh.

Overall, the state has seen three major spells of heavy rains this monsoon season. The first was on July 9 and 10, whihc destroyed Mandi and Kullu districts.

After that, the Shimla and Solan districts were hit. The second spell was between August 14 and 15. And the third one is currently underway. The national highway between Mandi-Kullu has been severely impacted due to heavy landslides near Pandoh and relief camps have been set up along the stretch of Pandoh and Aut besides Bajaura.

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Priyanka Gandhi's appeal to Centre

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday appealed to the Centre to declare the current Himachal Pradesh situation as a national disaster.

She posted on X that many states have taken commendable and sensitive steps to help the state. She said: "It is an appeal to the central government that in view of the huge losses caused by the tragedy, the disaster in Himachal Pradesh should be declared a national disaster so that our sisters and brothers who are suffering from it can get proper and immediate relief."

(With inputs from agencies)

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