9 Killed After Temple Collapses In Heavy Rain In Shimla, 20 Feared Trapped

Nine people were killed in a landslide at a Shiv Temple in Shimla city today, while seven members of a family died after a cloudburst in Solan late last night. 

15 to 20 people were feared trapped in two landslides in Shimla city, Deputy Commissioner of Shimla, Aditya Negi, told news agency PTI. He said efforts are on to rescue the trapped people.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the authorities to ensure all possible assistance and support to the affected families. 

The Chief Minister has urged people to "stay indoors" and avoid going near "landslide-prone" areas. He also requested tourists not to visit the state during this crisis.

More than 700 roads have been closed in the state due to landlsides triggered by incessant rain, officials said, adding that a key stretch of the National Highway connecting Shimla and Chandigarh has been affected by recurring landslides, leaving several vehicles stranded along the highway.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutes in the state are shut today. All the ongoing examinations of Post Graduate classes have been cancelled to ensure the safety of students amid heavy rains. 

The heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, and neighbouring Uttarakhand, are due to a fresh spell of Western Disturbance, the Indian Meteorological Department said. 

The weather office predicted extremely heavy rain in nine out of 12 districts of the state, barring Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti, on Monday and issued a yellow warning for Tuesday.

The inordinate rain this season has cost the state Rs 7,000 crore, according to the administration. 1,376 houses have been damaged in the state, while 7,935 houses have been partially damaged so far in the monsoon havoc.

Himachal Pradesh has continued to witness the monsoon fury since the onset of the monsoon on June 24, leaving more than 260 people dead.