Kullu landslides: Search on for 7 missing after twin Inner Akhara Bazaar disasters

Grief and anxiety grip the residents of Inner Akhara Bazaar in Kullu after two consecutive landslides — one on Wednesday and another on Thursday morning — buried 11 people, of whom seven remain untraced as of Friday morning.

Triggered by incessant rain, the Thursday morning landslide devastated parts of the congested Inner Akhara Bazaar locality, burying at least nine people under heavy debris and mud. While one body was recovered and three injured victims were rescued, five victims remain missing.

This landslide followed another similar disaster in the same area just a day earlier. On Wednesday morning, two people were buried under the debris due to a landslide in the Inner Akhara Bazaar. Despite round-the-clock efforts by rescue teams, no trace of the two victims has been found.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with teams from the District Disaster Management Authority, local police, and district administration, has been deployed on-site and continues to carry out intensive rescue operations. Search efforts were temporarily halted overnight due to safety concerns but resumed early on Friday morning.

“Rescue work is ongoing, but progress has been slow due to unfavorable weather conditions and the unstable terrain,” a senior police official said. The narrow lanes and dense construction in the Inner Akhara Bazaar area have added to the complexity of the rescue operation.

The twin landslides have sparked widespread panic. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as homes crumbled and debris engulfed everything in its path. The suddenness of the disaster caught people off guard, especially in such a congested area with little room for emergency evacuation.

Families of the missing victims are in deep trauma, clinging to hope even as time passes and rescue outcomes become increasingly uncertain. Emotional scenes have unfolded near the site, with relatives anxiously waiting for updates — some since Wednesday morning.

Local authorities are urging those living in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow safety advisories as the region continues to be at risk due to persistent rain. Relief measures and temporary shelters are being set up for displaced families.

The district administration has assured that all possible resources are being mobilised to expedite rescue operations and ensure the safety of responders and locals alike.

As of now, seven people remain missing, and the possibility of further landslides cannot be ruled out. Authorities have confirmed that more updates will be provided as the situation evolves.