Heavy rain triggers landslides in Shimla, houses at risk as Sangla bridge collapses

PTC Web Desk: Heavy rainfall continued to disrupt normal life in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, with landslides reported from different parts of Shimla district. Several houses came under threat in Sanjauli after a large portion of a hillside gave way, while parked vehicles were damaged in another landslide in Rajhana village.

The first incident took place in the Bothwell area near Government College in Sanjauli. A huge quantity of rocks, mud and debris rolled down the slope, creating panic among residents living nearby. Officials from the district administration and other concerned departments rushed to the spot to inspect the affected area and assess the damage.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as some houses remain vulnerable due to the unstable hillside. However, no casualties have been reported so far.

Another landslide struck Rajhana village later in the day. Large boulders and debris fell onto the roadside, damaging several vehicles parked there. Debris removal work has already started to restore the affected stretch.

In a separate incident, the Sangla Bridge, which serves as an important link between Sangla and Chitkul in Kinnaur district, collapsed on Friday night. The bridge had been under pressure due to continuous rainfall over the past few days.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall across Himachal Pradesh and issued a yellow alert for Shimla, Kullu, Chamba, Bilaspur and Sirmaur districts. Heavy to moderate rain is expected at isolated places.

The weather department has also warned of possible waterlogging in low-lying areas, traffic disruptions, slippery roads and temporary interruption of essential services. Residents and tourists have been advised to stay away from landslide-prone locations, riverbanks and other vulnerable areas until weather conditions improve.