Shimla, June 30, 2025 – Continuous rainfall in Himachal Pradesh led to a series of monsoon-triggered incidents on Monday, including the dramatic collapse of a five-storey building in Bhattakufer on the outskirts of Shimla. Though the building was reduced to rubble, timely evacuation by local authorities averted any casualties.
Five-Storey Building Collapses in Bhattakufer
The structure, located in Mathu Colony on the road leading to Chamiyana Super Speciality Hospital, gave way around 8:15 a.m., shaking the nearby area.
“We vacated the building on Sunday night after observing land movement due to Saturday’s rain,” said Ranjana Verma, the building’s owner.
She alleged that the ongoing Kaithlighat-Dhalli four-lane construction weakened the foundation, with no corrective measures taken despite visible cracks.
-
No human casualties were reported.
-
Two adjoining buildings remain at risk.
-
Cracks in the building were observed last year.
According to Chamiyana Gram Panchayat Up Pradhan Yashpal Verma, the Panchayat had earlier warned the construction company to halt work due to growing structural risks. However, the company allegedly ignored the warnings.
Rampur Cloudburst Washes Away Cow Sheds and Livestock
In a separate incident, a cloudburst struck Sikaseri village in Rampur (Sarpara gram panchayat) early Monday. It destroyed:
-
Two cowsheds
-
Three cows and two calves
-
A kitchen and one room of a residential house
The affected property belonged to Rajinder Kumar, Vinod Kumar, and Gopal, all sons of Palas Ram. Fortunately, no human life was lost. Notably, 21 lives were lost in a cloudburst in the same area (Samej) last year.
🔗Also Read: Cloudbursts Trigger Flash Floods in Himachal’s Kullu
Landslides Disrupt Traffic on Key Highways
Incessant rainfall triggered landslides at five points along the Shimla-Chandigarh highway, causing:
-
Shooting stones
-
Road blockages
-
Diversion to single-lane routes
-
Major traffic congestion
Affected Areas:
-
Chakki Mor near Koti in Solan district
-
Delgi on Subathu-Waknaghat road (closed due to debris)
Schools Remain Open Despite Red Alerts
Despite heavy rain alerts, most schools across the region remained open. Solan Deputy Commissioner Man Mohan Sharma had issued advisories urging:
-
Parents to avoid sending children across rivers or nallahs
-
Residents to remain indoors and steer clear of danger zones
Weather Warnings and Rainfall Stats
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, warning of moderate to high flash-flood risk in seven districts:
-
Shimla
-
Solan
-
Sirmaur
-
Kullu
-
Mandi
-
Chamba
-
Kangra
🔗Also Read: Landslide Halts Vaishno Devi Yatra, Services Suspended
Rainfall Statistics (Past 24 Hours):
-
Pandoh: 123 mm
-
Mandi: 119.4 mm
-
Murari Devi: 113.2 mm
-
Palampur: 83 mm
-
Bharari, Kasauli, Nadaun: 60–65 mm range
Since monsoon onset on June 20, a total of 20 lives have been lost due to rain-related incidents. Four people remain missing, as per the State Emergency Operation Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What caused the building collapse in Bhattakufer, Shimla?
The collapse was triggered by continuous rainfall weakening the soil. The structure was also reportedly destabilized by nearby four-lane construction activity.
Q2. Were there any casualties in the Shimla building collapse?
No human casualties occurred as the building had been evacuated the previous night due to signs of danger.
Q3. Which areas in Himachal are under flash-flood warnings?
Seven districts—Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, and Kangra—are currently under moderate to high flash-flood alerts by the IMD.
Q4. How has traffic been affected on the Shimla-Chandigarh highway?
Multiple landslides have blocked portions of the highway, restricting traffic to single-lane routes and causing heavy congestion, especially near Chakki Mor.
Q5. What precautions are authorities advising for residents?
Officials urge residents to stay away from rivers and landslide-prone zones and advise parents to avoid sending children to school if river crossings are involved.
🔗 Stay updated with the latest news alerts at: www.thequickupdate.com
