A tragic landslide near Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district claimed six lives and left five others injured on Sunday. The landslide, accompanied by strong winds, caused a massive tree to fall on parked vehicles, leading to casualties.
Confirming the incident, Kullu Additional District Magistrate Ashwani Kumar stated, “Six people died, and five were injured after trees were uprooted near Manikaran Gurudwara parking in Kullu. Police and rescue teams have shifted the injured to the local community hospital at Jari.”
Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur told ANI, “This unfortunate incident occurred near Manikaran Gurdwara, where a tree fell. The injured are being brought to the hospital, and a police team along with the administration is at the site.”
Landslide Triggered by Heavy Rains
Officials revealed that a tree on a mountain opposite the gurdwara was uprooted due to heavy rain, a storm, and a landslide. It crashed onto vehicles parked along the road, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries.
Authorities promptly responded, with medical teams, police, and revenue officials reaching the site to carry out rescue and relief operations. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vikas Shukla confirmed that the injured had been taken to Jari Hospital for treatment.
Himachal CM Orders Assistance for Victims
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. CM Sukhu directed the district administration to provide all possible assistance to the victims’ families and ensure the best medical care for the injured.
Recent Landslides Due to Extreme Weather
Himachal Pradesh has been grappling with extreme weather conditions in recent weeks. Earlier in March, heavy rains and snowfall triggered landslides, disrupting normal life across several districts.
In Kangra, a massive landslide caused by continuous rainfall damaged multiple vehicles and put 12 houses at risk, forcing authorities to relocate affected families to safer locations. Additionally, a person went missing near the Shiva Hydropower project in Palampur, prompting a search operation.
As rescue efforts continue in Kullu, authorities have urged residents and tourists to remain cautious, especially in landslide-prone areas.
Sources By Agencies