Heavy rain triggers landslide scare in Shimla's Sanjauli, several houses affected

Continuous heavy rainfall over the past 36 hours has triggered a major landslide scare in Shimla's Sanjauli area, forcing residents of Bothwell Estate to remain outdoors since around 3 a.m. amid fears that their houses could collapse. Nearly 10 houses have been affected, with at least three homes facing an immediate threat due to the landslide. Residents alleged that construction activity continued in the area despite the monsoon construction ban imposed by authorities, and demanded strict action against the owner of the construction site. However, the landowner denied carrying out any construction during the past month, attributing the landslide to blocked drains and waterlogging. Local authorities have initiated a preliminary survey while the Municipal Corporation has assured residents that immediate protective measures, including covering the vulnerable slope with tarpaulins, will be undertaken. Residents say they have been living under fear for over a year.

Resident Meera Kainthala said residents have been living under constant fear since a similar landslide struck the area last year. "We have been living under threat for nearly a year. On June 28 last year, my parents got trapped inside our house after a landslide. Mud and debris entered the house, and my sister-in-law and niece remained trapped for almost 24 hours. Despite repeatedly requesting the owner, Naresh, to adopt proper safety measures during construction, nothing was done," she said. Kainthala alleged that construction activity continued despite the monsoon ban. "The landslide occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. today. Construction has been going on here for almost one and a half years. Even a labourer was injured at the site about a week ago. There is no proper access road left for residents. We had repeatedly requested the Municipal Corporation to stop the work because construction is prohibited during the monsoon season, but no action was taken," she said. She said residents have remained outside their homes since early morning. "People have been standing outside since around 3 a.m. We informed the authorities, and the police visited briefly, but no effective action has been taken yet. We have been living in fear for a year and demand immediate action before a bigger tragedy occurs," she added. Eyewitness says cracks had appeared before the landslide.

Aditya, an eyewitness and resident, said he was working from home during the night when the incident occurred. "I work online and was awake when I noticed the landslide. A neighbour called me and we rushed outside. Around 3 a.m., we heard a loud sound. We already knew cracks had developed in the slope over the past few days. Then the entire portion gave way," he said. He alleged that excavation work had been underway despite restrictions. "There has been heavy rainfall over the past two days, but excavation and construction activity was also continuing. Construction is not allowed during the monsoon season, yet the work was going on. We had earlier met our MLA and other authorities regarding the issue," he said. According to him, several families have been cut off.

"There are four to five buildings here. My tenants cannot leave the area because the access road has collapsed. People are currently passing through my house. We want strict action and immediate restoration of the road," he added. Speaking to ANI, Rahul, a local resident who runs a bakery and whose house is located behind his shop, said his family has been standing on the road since early morning because their home is no longer safe. "I was sleeping around 3:30 a.m. when I opened the window and noticed the landslide beginning. There had been earlier landslides here as well. The main reason, according to us, is that cutting and construction were being carried out despite the Municipal Corporation's ban during the monsoon," he said. "My house, another shop, two houses behind it and several other families are under threat. The foundation has become extremely weak, and the building could collapse at any time. We want an immediate retaining wall and temporary protection through tarpaulin covering. We informed officials in the morning, but no work has started yet," Rahul added.