Residents blame NHAI for collapse

IMD predicts heavy rainfall in parts of state till July 6; MeT sounds yellow alert in 10 districts

- Dar Ovais

DHARAMSHALA: Hours after evacuation, a five-storeyed residential building collapsed in the Bhattakuffar area of Shimla as heavy rain continued to pound Himachal Pradesh on Monday, officials said.

Though there was no casualty in the incident that occurred in Mathu Colony situated on the road leading to Chamyana Super Specialty Hospital, it triggered panic among the residents of nearby buildings. Preliminary reports suggest that cracks might have developed due to the ongoing four-lane road construction in the area, which could have weakened the foundation of the building. The district authorities are now assessing the damage and the stability of surrounding structures.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), very heavy rainfall was observed at isolated places on Monday, while heavy rainfall was observed at a few places in the state during the last 24 hours.

The incident brought back memories of the August 14, 2023, Shimla monsoon fury, when heavy rain triggered a landslide in the Summer Hill area, bringing down a temple that led to the death of 20 people.

Meanwhile, trade at the Bhattakuffar Fruit Mandi has been disrupted since Sunday as stones rolled down the hill. Mandi was damaged in a landslide in 2020, but it has not been restored fully so far. A cloudburst was reported at Sikaseri village in Rampur tehsil of Shimla district. Officials said no loss of life was reported. However, 35 goats were washed away by a flash flood late due to cloudburst in the forest area near Ganvi Panchayat of Rampur tehsil.