18 killed in rain-related incidents in Himachal; dam gates opened

At least eighteen people were killed and nine others injured in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday (August 18), officials said.

Landslides hit a spot near the RTO office here, leaving three persons dead. One person is still trapped under the debris, police said.

In another incident, a labourer was killed as the wall of a house collapsed here following heavy rains early Sunday, the police said. The deceased has been identified as Shah Alam, who hailed from Bihar’s Kishanganj district.

In another incident, a man was killed after a landslide hit the national highway near Hatkoti Kenchi in Shimla’s Rohru sub division.

In Kullu, a man was washed away in Sajwar Nullah when locals were trying to rescue him. The deceased has been identified as Chooni Lal.

In Chamba district, two persons are trapped in the rubble after a house collapsed following heavy rains. The house collapsed in Lona Gram Panchayat at 3:30 AM , trapping a 70-year-old and a seven-year-old.

In Narkand area of Shimla district, two Nepalese died and three were injured after when a tree fell on their house.

All educational institutions will remain closed tomorrow at Shimla district.

Office of the District Magistrate, Shimla: In view of heavy rains in the district, it has become necessary to order closure of all educational institutions in Shimla district on 19 August. #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/hVJcwbcihI

— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2019

Shima-Kalka rail service disrupted

Meanwhile, train services between Shimla and Kalka were disrupted on Sunday after multiple landslides blocked the rail route, an official said. Landslides occurred at four-five places on the Shimla-Kalka track following heavy rains in the region, he added.

A Shimla-bound train from Kalka had started at 3 AM but had to be terminated midway at Dharampur Railway Station at 5 AM due to landslides, he said. Subsequently, it was decided not to run any train till the clearance of the track, he added.

Train services on the Shimla-Kalka route are likely to resume on Monday after the track is cleared.

Gates of Pandoh, Nathpa Jhakri dams opened

Gates of the Pandoh and the Nathpa Jhakri dams in Himachal Pradesh are being opened as the water level in Beas and Sutlej rivers is very high on Saturday, an official said.

People have been requested to stay away from rivers, rivulets and streams in the state to avoid any untoward incident, the official said. The Nathpa Jhakri hydroelectric station is also being shut down due to the increasing silt content in the Sutlej river, he said.