Rescue Efforts Intensify Amidst Heavy Rainfall and Road Closures

A significant landslide occurred in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, following heavy rainfall. The incident, which took place in the inner Akhada Bazaar area, caused damage to several houses early Thursday morning.

Rescue operations were immediately launched by a team comprising the district administration, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Home Guard, Fire Department, and Police Department. Reports indicate that six individuals are believed to be trapped under the debris, while four injured people have been successfully rescued. The ongoing search and rescue efforts are being hampered by the persistent heavy rainfall.

The Deputy Commissioner of Kullu, Torul S Ravish, along with SP Kullu Karthikeyan Gokul Chandran, local MLA Sunder Singh Thakur, and other district officials are overseeing the rescue operation. The Deputy Commissioner reported that the landslide, which occurred late Wednesday night in Akhada Bazaar, destroyed parts of a house, trapping two people. These individuals include a visitor from Jammu and Kashmir and a staff member associated with the NDRF unit.

The national highway remains closed due to the adverse weather conditions, with multiple blockages reported. While connectivity from Aleo to Manali is maintained, authorities are advising against unnecessary travel. The road to Manali has been partially reopened for essential movement, but a large number of other roads remain blocked.

Electricity supply in the Banjar Science area has been significantly affected, leading to the closure of educational institutions for two days. Essential services are being closely monitored, with coordination efforts underway to ensure the delivery of necessary supplies, including LPG, in collaboration with the Mandi administration. Pregnant women with upcoming deliveries are advised to travel only during clear weather. The distribution of August's PDS rations has been completed in most areas, with plans in place for alternative delivery methods, including drones and air acquisition for extreme cases.

An eyewitness recounted that their dog alerted them to the landslide. Upon hearing the event, the eyewitness alerted other residents. The eyewitness stated that two people are buried under the debris, and rescue teams are working to determine their condition.