Tragedy Strikes Himachal Pradesh: Temple Collapse and Cloudburst Leave Many Dead

SHIMLA: In a tragic turn of events, a Shiv temple located in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla collapsed due to an intense downpour, resulting in the loss of at least nine lives. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sikhu confirmed the fatalities, underscoring the severity of the incident. Amidst the chaos, rescue operations led by the police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are underway to save those trapped in the rubble.

Chief Minister Sikhu expressed his distress on Twitter, where he shared, "Distressing news has emerged from Shimla, where the 'Shiv Mandir' at Summer Hill collapsed as a result of the heavy rainfall. As of now, nine bodies have been retrieved. The local administration is diligently working to clear the debris in order to rescue individuals who may still be trapped."

Tragedy further struck the Solan region, as a devastating cloudburst claimed the lives of seven family members. The calamity unfolded when two houses in Solan were swept away by the powerful cloudburst during Sunday night. Although six individuals were fortunate enough to be rescued, seven others tragically lost their lives in the Jadon village. The victims have been identified as Harnam (38), Kamal Kishore (35), Hemlata (34), Rahul (14), Neha (12), Golu (8), and Raksha (12), as reported by Director of Police, Solan, Gaurav Singh.

Aditya Negi, Deputy Commissioner of Shimla, stated that numerous individuals are feared to be trapped beneath the debris caused by the two landslides. In response to the catastrophe, the state emergency operation center reported the closure of 752 roads, highlighting the widespread impact of the calamity. To ensure the safety of the community, all schools and universities across the state were closed on Monday.

This heart-wrenching incident underscores the vulnerability of regions prone to natural disasters and the imperative of robust disaster preparedness and response measures. As rescue teams tirelessly work to save lives and clear the debris, the communities affected by these tragedies require not only immediate assistance but also long-term support to rebuild and recover.

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