Landslide hits Shimla mandi, extraction of apple boxes in process

Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, July 20

Hundreds of apple boxes were buried under the debris as a massive landslide occurred at a fruit mandi, Bhattakuffar—about 18 km from Shimla on Shogi-Dhalli bypass on Monday morning.

Stones started bombarding the roofs of the mandi, alarming the people, who ran for safety. 

No casualty was reported. 

Within minutes a heavy landslide occurred, and the back portion of Mandi was buried under the debris. Due to apple season, the mandi was packed with apple boxes.

The commission agent whose stock was damaged in the landslide has demanded compensation. They accused the administration of not taking timely steps in spite of being aware of the situation.  

Deputy Commissioner Shimla, Amit Kashyap, who was at the spot said that the site of fruit mandi is unsafe as slide is continuing and monsoon is active in the state.

He said that alternate arrangements are being made to facilitate the growers and the arthis and big arthis have been told to operate from their godowns. 

Some arthis would be accommodated at Parala Mandi in upper Shimla. Further, the Dhalli vegetable market would be used as a fruit market after 1 pm, he added. 

The tehsildar has been asked to assess the loss due to damage and submit a report.

Meanwhile, the apple boxes are being shifted and the boxes buried in the debris are being extracted. 

While the arthis claim that thousands of boxes have been damaged due to landslide the district administration said that the exact loss would be known only after the detailed assessment is made.