5 die in multiple landslides in Shimla, Sirmaur

At least five persons, including four in Shimla, lost their lives as a result of landslides triggered by torrential rainfall that continues to occur in the state.

As per the reports, a father-daughter duo was reportedly killed after their house was hit by debris due to a massive landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in Mahol Jot village in Shimla district. The deceased Virender Kumar (35) and his 10-year-old daughter were buried under the debris, killing them on the spot. However, his wife survived as she was not present in the house at the time of the incident. Several cattle also perished during the incident.

In another incident, a woman named Kalavati died in Chol village in Kotkhai tehsil after her house collapsed as a result of a landslide. Another woman identified as Kanishka was killed in Baoli village in Jubbal, Shimla after her house collapsed due to a landslide. One more death due to landslide was reported in Chauras village under Nauradhar tehsil in Sirmaur.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri expressed grief over the deaths in state during past 24 hours due to torrential rains and prayed to the almighty to give peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved family members to bear the loss. The CM said that the state government stands in solidarity with the affected families in this hour of grief and it would provide all possible assistance to them.

Agnihotri also conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families and said that every possible assistance would be provided.

Meanwhile, educational institutions in several districts including Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Sirmaur and Chamba will remain closed on September 2 in view of heavy rainfall alert that has been issued by the Meteorological Department. Classes will be held via online mode in these districts.