The death toll in rain-battered Himachal Pradesh rose to 77 as rescue teams continue to recover bodies from landslide-hit regions. At least four persons are still feared trapped under the debris of the Shiva temple that collapsed in the wake of the massive landslide in Summer Hill earlier this week, officials said.
Even as the rains remained subdued on Friday, the local meteorological department has warned of heavy rains, flash floods and landslides in several districts of the hill state in the next few days.
The met department issued a yellow warning for heavy rains, thunderstorm and lightning in 10 districts of Himachal Pradesh on August 21 and 22. The rainfall activity is likely to increase in distribution and intensity from August 21, the department office said in a release.
The department also warned of flash floods in the districts of Kangra, Chamba, Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Sirmaur, Solan, Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti. “Landslides in vulnerable areas, occasional reduction in visibility due to heavy rainfall and fog and disruptions of essential services like water, electricity and communications is also possible," it stated.
Amid massive loss of human lives and property, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu declared heavy rains as a natural calamity. The state has been hit by 113 landslides in the 55 days since the monsoon began, causing losses of Rs 2,491 crore to the Public Works Department (PWD) and Rs 1,000 crore to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), NDTV reported. Once the weather stabilises, the government will complete assessment of the losses incurred and submit a report to the Centre.
Indian Institute of Advanced Study building in danger?
In the wake of the landslide in Summer Hill, which led to the collapse of a temple and death of several people, experts and locals have raised concerns over the safety of Shimla's iconic Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) building. IIAS officials have requested the local authorities for risk assessment of the complex after a portion of the campus lawns 'sunk'. Cracks have also developed at the site and several deodar trees have also tilted.
The landslide hit the temple after the back wall of the institute collapsed on August 14, reports stated.
Sub divisional Magistrate Shimla (Urban) Bhanu Gupta told ANI that the experts from the forest department as well as technical team from the Municipal Corporation will visit the spot and assess the safety concerns.
Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi said the 'sinking' land is not near the one where the landslide was triggered. The IIAS has covered the outer portion of the lawns with tarpaulin to prevent further seepage.