A massive landslide occurred in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. The landslide may have killed nearly 30 passengers traveling in two state roadways buses.
So far from the debris, 10 bodies have been recovered. The rescue operation had to be put on hold due to the continuous landslides have been resumed again.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was, “pained by the loss of lives.” He further added that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been sent to Mandi to help with the rescue.
The landslide occurred at 12:15 A.M., this morning in Kotrupi village in Padhar sub division of Mandi district.
Among the two state roadway buses caught in the landslide, one was hit directly and fell off the road for almost a kilometer. While the other bus coming from Manali to Katra was also hit by the landslide.
A number of small vehicles also got caught in the landslide. A number of homes were also damaged and one four story building collapsed with the impact of the landslide. A few families lost their cattle in the landslide.
The National Highway 21 stretch has been cordoned off fearing another landslide.
DIG Northern Range, Ajay Kumar Yadav reported, “The landslide debris fell on two moving state transport buses. One bus was on its way from Chamba to Manali. It is not known how many passengers were on the bus which is under the debris. Efforts are on to rescue the trapped passengers.”
