Landslide kills 2 women in Sirmaur

Tribune News Service

Solan, July 27

Two women were killed and two injured when a wall of their house collapsed following a landslide at Jwagdhar village in the Sangrah sub-division of Sirmaur district last night.

The landslide was triggered due to downpour which lashed the area last evening. Women who were sleeping in the rear room were killed while those sleeping in the adjoining room escaped with minor injuries.

Those killed include 16-year-old girl Sima Devi and her aunt Kanso Devi. Sima’s mother Naina Devi and sister Monica, who were sleeping in the other room, were injured in the incident.

Neighbours rushed to help the family but by the time the two women were pulled out from the debris they had died.

Sangrah Pratap Kumar, DSP, said the landslide led to falling of heavy boulders and muck on the wall killing the two women. The other two women, who were sleeping in the adjoining room, received minor injuries.

Landslips block Dharamsala-Kangra road

• Landslides triggered by rain on Tuesday night blocked the Dharamsala and Kangra road. The PWD authorities had a tough time clearing the roads in the morning.
• The landslides occurred as hills were either cut for widening of the roads or for commercial purpose. Near lower Sakoh, the road was blocked three times last year. The said portion of the road is witnessing landslides due to unscientific and illegal cutting of hill by a private owner. The fragile hill has been cut up to about 40 feet. 
• The area where the hill has been cut is caving in slowly. This has also damaged the Dharamsala-Kangra road. The PWD had imposed a fine of Rs 4 lakh on the owner of the land. —TNS