Kullu: In a harrowing incident on Thursday, eight multi-storeyed structures in the Anni region of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh succumbed to a landslide. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties.
These buildings, located near the Anni bus stand, housed a range of commercial establishments, including shops and banks. Worryingly, these structures had shown signs of distress and had developed significant cracks after enduring heavy rainfall in the second week of July. Recognizing the imminent danger, the district administration had subsequently labeled them as hazardous. Acting on this declaration, occupants wisely deserted these buildings just a week prior, informed Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Anni, Mr. Naresh Verma.
Verma further highlighted the precarious condition of several other structures situated along National Highway 305 in Anni. As a safeguard against potential calamity, these buildings too, have been emptied.
Eyewitness accounts provide a vivid description of the disaster. Around 9:15 in the morning, a substantial landmass from the hill’s slope gave way. The immense weight and momentum of the sliding earth proved too much for the buildings to withstand.
Chief Minister Sukhu disclosed that the rains have inflicted a staggering loss of Rs 12,000 crore on the state. Torrential downpours persisted across Himachal Pradesh on Thursday. Palampur witnessed a deluge of 137 mm, followed by Nahan at 93 mm, Shimla with 79 mm, Dharamshala at 70 mm, and Mandi registering 57 mm of rain since the previous evening.
The regional meteorological department, staying vigilant, has issued a ‘yellow warning’ for intense rainfall scheduled for Friday. The forecast anticipates the rainy pattern to linger until August 30. Compounding the state’s woes, 729 roads remain obstructed, and multiple regions are plunged into darkness. A whopping 2,897 power transformers suffered damage, leading to these outages, as reported by Principal Secretary (revenue), Mr. Onkar Chand Sharma. This situation accentuates the pressing need for immediate interventions and resilient infrastructure to weather such adversities.