Severe Landslide Strikes Kullu, Multiple Residents Feared Trapped
Munish Sood
KULLU:
The ongoing heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh have led to significant destruction, with no signs of relief. On Thursday, a substantial landslide occurred in the Inner Akhara Bazaar area close to Kullu town, resulting in extensive damage and causing panic among the local population.
Reports indicate that three homes were buried under debris as a hillside collapsed due to the persistent rainfall. Approximately ten individuals were caught in the landslide, and rescue teams, along with local volunteers, managed to extract four injured individuals, who have since been transported to a hospital for medical care. However, authorities are concerned that five to six people may still be trapped beneath the rubble.
Rescue operations are currently in progress, with teams from the district administration, police, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on-site. Kullu's Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh and Superintendent of Police Karthikeyan Gokulachandran have also arrived to oversee the rescue efforts.
This incident follows a previous landslide in the same area just days earlier, where an NDRF personnel and a Kashmiri laborer were buried, and despite 36 hours of search efforts, they could not be recovered due to the unstable conditions.
The series of landslides has left Kullu's residents in a state of fear as heavy rains persist. Authorities have advised caution, but the risk of additional landslides remains high.
Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh stated that upon receiving news of the landslide, NDRF, ITBP, and local police teams quickly mobilized to initiate rescue operations.
She reported that four individuals were rescued from the debris, with two being unharmed, one critically injured and sent to AIIMS, Bilaspur.
Raveesh mentioned that around six more individuals are believed to be trapped under the debris, and multiple rescue teams are working at two separate locations to locate them. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed profound sorrow over the incident, describing the loss of life as heartbreaking. He assured that the government is committed to supporting the affected families during this difficult time.
Former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also expressed his condolences, labeling the event as tragic. He offered prayers for the deceased and strength for the grieving families, urging authorities to expedite relief and rescue operations.