Punjab Newsline | Shimla
Himachal Pradesh is once again bearing the brunt of intense monsoon rainfall, with several parts of the state witnessing landslides and disruption to essential services. Rivers and streams are flowing at high levels following continuous rain over the past 24 hours.
According to the State Disaster Management Authority, as of 10 am on Tuesday, 279 roads remained closed across the state. As many as 310 drinking water schemes and 84 power transformers were also affected. The worst-hit districts in terms of road closures include Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti and Shimla.
Three Workers Feared Trapped in Sirmaur Mine
A major landslide occurred at a limestone mine in Bagnadhar area of Kafota subdivision in Sirmaur district on Tuesday. A large portion of the hillside suddenly collapsed, burying three people, including dump truck drivers, under the debris.
The trapped workers have been identified as Anil Kumar of Barwas in Sirmaur, Gajendra Singh, 65, a Nepal resident, and Dhan Singh, 68.
Rescue teams are conducting a search operation at the site. Naib Tehsildar of Kamrau, Om Prakash Thakur, said the rescue operation was being hampered by continuous falling debris as the area remains an active sliding zone.
Although mining activities have reportedly been banned at the site, some workers are believed to have entered the mine to collect equipment when the landslide occurred.
Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Verma said an NDRF team is also being sent to the site to strengthen the rescue operation and help locate and evacuate those trapped beneath the debris.
Authorities remain on alert as more rainfall could trigger further landslides and disruptions in vulnerable areas of the state.
