One killed as back-to-back landslides hit Himachal's Kullu, several trapped

Two landslides struck Kullu’s Akhada Bazar on Thursday morning as incessant rainfall continued in Himachal Pradesh. Three houses collapsed, killing one and injuring three in the landslide.

So far, four people have been rescued from the rubble. Among them, three are injured, one man and two women, while one person has been confirmed dead. The deceased, a resident of Kashmir, was recovered from one of the affected homes. The injured have been shifted to the nearest medical facility for treatment.

The first landslide caused the collapse of three houses, leaving multiple people trapped under the debris. The incident has prompted an urgent search and rescue operation in the densely populated Inner Akhada area.

Abdul, a local resident, said that five of his family members are still buried under the debris. According to him, the family had returned from morning prayers and were cooking when the hill suddenly collapsed. All of them were living in three rented rooms. One person managed to escape by jumping from a window.

A team from the 14th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), already present nearby due to a previous landslide just 200 meters away, was immediately deployed under the supervision of Assistant Commandant Santosh.

Despite continued rainfall, the administration, NDRF, Himachal Pradesh Police, Home Guards, Fire Services, and local volunteers remain on-site, coordinating closely to locate and assist any remaining trapped individuals.

This latest disaster adds to an already dire situation in Himachal Pradesh. According to official data, the state has suffered damages worth Rs 3,526 crore so far this monsoon. A total of 122 landslides, 95 flash floods, and 45 cloudburst events have been reported, resulting in 341 deaths statewide, including 11 in the last 24 hours alone.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who chaired a high-level emergency review meeting today, confirmed that urgent rescue operations are being prioritized across affected regions. In Chamba's Manimahesh, where 700 pilgrims are stranded, 70 have been airlifted so far. Four deceased were transported to Pathankot via an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter.

Meanwhile, the weather department has predicted a slight reprieve in weather ahead. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), weather conditions across Himachal Pradesh are expected to improve starting tomorrow, September 5.

After weeks of relentless rainfall, cloudbursts, and flash floods, most regions are now forecasted to return to normal conditions, offering some relief to both residents and rescue workers. However, authorities urge residents in landslide-prone areas to remain alert and cooperate with ongoing emergency measures.

- Ends

Inputs from Manminder