9 dead as temple collapses in rain-hit Shimla

02:33 PM Aug 14, 2023 IST | Ground Report

Nine people died after a Shiv temple in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla collapsed due to heavy rain on Monday. Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) officials are carrying out rescue operations as dozens are feared trapped in a landslide at the temple in the Summer Hill area.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team is on the ground and carrying out rescue operations, as they fear that 10-15 more people are trapped under the debris.

“Distressing news has emerged from Shimla, where the “Shiv Mandir” at Summer Hill collapsed as a result of the heavy rainfall. As of now, nine bodies have been retrieved. The local administration is diligently working to clear the debris in order to rescue individuals who may still be trapped,” Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said in a tweet.

"The devotees gathered to offer prayers on the occasion of Sawan," said an official, stating that nearly 50 people had gathered when the incident took place.

The relentless rainfall has led to the closure of more than 700 roads across the state, causing widespread travel disruption. Key transportation arteries, including a vital stretch of the National Highway connecting Shimla and Chandigarh, are significantly affected due to recurring landslides, stranding numerous vehicles.

Educational institutions, including schools and colleges, remain closed as a precautionary measure. Ongoing Post Graduate examinations have been cancelled to ensure student safety amidst the persistent heavy rainfall.

The economic toll of this season's relentless rainfall has been considerable, amounting to ₹7,000 crore, as reported by the administration. Since the monsoon's onset on June 24, Himachal Pradesh has been grappling with the monsoon's fury, resulting in a tragic death toll of over 260 individuals.