3 killed, 10 rescued and nearly 30 feared trapped in a major landslide in Himachal’s Kinnaur district

A state roadways bus and several vehicles were buried in the landslide that occurred over on a larger stretch on the highway near Nigulsari, 61 km from Reckong Peo, the dist headquarters of Kinnaur

3 killed, 10 rescued and nearly 30 feared trapped in a major landslide in Himachal’s Kinnaur district
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Bipin Bhardwaj

After cloudbursts, incidents of landslides have been wreaking havoc on human lives and their property in Himachal Pradesh.

In another such shocking incident in Kinnaur district, three persons were reportedly killed and about 30 others are trapped under debris in a major landslide which also left many vehicles trapped under debris in Kinnaur district on Wednesday afternoon. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, ten people have been rescued from the debris.

According to reports, the landslide occurred on the Reckong Peo-Shimla Highway near Neugal Sari in Kinnaur about 12 pm. Besides a truck, a Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus and other vehicles are believed to have been buried in rubles.

3 killed, 10 rescued and nearly 30 feared trapped in a major landslide in Himachal’s Kinnaur district

Eyewitnesses revealed that the bus was on its way from Rampur to Nichhar when the tragedy struck. The impact of the landslide was so high that the bus-driver was tossed out of the vehicle.

Upon receiving information, the district administration swung into action and teams of ITBP (43rd, 17th, 19th 43rd Battalions) were rushed to the spot to carry on a rescue operation.

An ITBP official, however, tweeted with pictures of the site: “ A landslide reported on ReckongPeo-Shimla Highway in #Kinnaur District in Himachal Pradesh today at around 12.45 Hrs. One truck, a HRTC Bus and few vehicles reported came under the rubble. Many people reported being trapped. ITBP teams rushed for rescue. More details awaited.”

According to State chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur nearly 40 people were on board and most of them have been trapped inside the vehicle buried under the rubbles. Teams of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been sent to the area for rescue operations. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had also been called in.

"I've directed the police and the local administration to carry out rescue operations. NDRF has also been put on alert. We have received information that one bus and a car could have been hit. We are waiting for detailed information," said the chief minister.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to CM Thakur and assured him of all possible help and support in the ongoing rescue operation, a spokesperson of the state government informed.

Heavy, incessant rains have caused many landslides in parts of Himachal Pradesh over the past few weeks.

Last month, nine tourists were killed after a huge boulder came crashing down on their cars in Batseri village on the Sangla-Chitkul road in Kinnaur.

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Published: 11 Aug 2021, 2:12 PM