Old building collapses in northern India amid heavy rains; no casualties reported
by Aditi VermaA portion of an old, dilapidated building in northern India’s Himachal Pradesh collapsed amid continuous heavy rains, triggering landslides in multiple locations across the city. Fortunately, the building had been evacuated beforehand, preventing any casualties.
The incident took place at Lakkar Bazaar, which is a market area located in Shimla on August 21.
Visuals showed during the landslide, a portion of a building in Shimla’s Lakkar Bazaar collapsed and fell into a deep gorge. The debris and rocks from the collapse tumbled into the same gorge, creating a chaotic scene. Amidst this destruction, an elderly man inside the building, witnessing the chaos from his balcony, peered out to see the extent of the damage. The view was stark: the building’s remnants were scattered throughout the gorge, and the once-solid structure had been reduced to rubble, illustrating the powerful impact of the landslide.
A part of an old building in Shimla’s Lakkar Bazaar area collapsed early this morning due to continuous heavy rainfall that has been battering the region. The building, which had been in a state of disrepair, was previously evacuated by authorities, which significantly minimized the risk of casualties.
The ongoing rains have caused landslides in various parts of Shimla, further aggravating the situation. Several vehicles were caught in these landslides, though no injuries have been reported so far. The local administration has been on high alert, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid travel unless necessary.
Rescue operations are underway, and officials are monitoring the situation closely as weather forecasts predict continued rainfall in the coming days. The collapse of the Lakkar Bazaar building and the resulting landslides have highlighted the vulnerabilities of older structures in the region, especially during extreme weather conditions.
Authorities are advising citizens to stay cautious and report any signs of structural instability in their buildings to prevent further incidents.
* Non Exclusive Video rights*