Himachal: Seven still missing in Kullu’s Inner Akhara Bazaar after twin landslides; rescue efforts underway amid rain
PTC Web Desk: A wave of anxiety has gripped Inner Akhara Bazaar in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, after two consecutive landslides within 24 hours buried 11 persons, leaving seven still unaccounted for as of Friday morning.
Triggered by relentless rainfall, the second landslide struck on Thursday morning, devastating the tightly packed Inner Akhara Bazaar locality. Nine persons were trapped under layers of mud and debris. While one body has been recovered and three survivors pulled out alive, five others remain missing.
Just a day earlier, on Wednesday, another landslide in the same market area buried two residents. Despite continuous search operations, rescuers have yet to locate them.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), District Disaster Management Authority, local police, and district officials are on-site, battling unstable terrain and rain-soaked ground. Overnight operations were suspended due to safety risks but resumed at first light on Friday.
“Rescue work is extremely challenging given the narrow lanes, dense buildings, and unstable slopes,” a police official stated. “Weather conditions are slowing down the process.”
Eyewitnesses recalled terrifying moments as homes collapsed and streets were consumed by debris, leaving residents with little time to escape. Families of the missing victims have been waiting anxiously near the site since Wednesday, clinging to fading hope as the hours pass.
Authorities have warned of the possibility of more landslides as heavy rains continue to lash the region. Temporary shelters and relief camps are being set up for affected families, and people in high-risk zones have been urged to remain alert and follow safety guidelines.
As of Friday morning, seven persons are still missing. Officials said all available resources are being deployed to speed up rescue operations, though unstable conditions remain a major concern.
- With inputs from agencies
