At collapsed temple site in Shimla, anxious eyes in search of loved ones: ‘Hope they are safe somewhere’
On Monday, August 14, 2023, a devastating landslide triggered by heavy rains caused a Shiv temple in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, to collapse, killing at least nine people and trapping dozens more under the debris. The temple, located in the Summer Hill area, was crowded with devotees who had gathered to offer prayers on the occasion of Sawan, a holy month dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The rescue teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Army reached the spot within hours of the disaster and started the search and rescue operations. However, the incessant rain and the unstable terrain hampered their efforts. As of Tuesday morning, only five people had been rescued alive, while 11 bodies had been recovered from the rubble.
Among the dead were seven members of a family who had come to the temple to perform a havan, a ritual fire ceremony. The family belonged to Rampur town in Shimla district and had rented a room near the temple for the occasion. The only survivor from the family was a 12-year-old boy who had gone out to buy some items for the havan.
The boy, identified as Ravi, was inconsolable as he waited for his parents and siblings to be found. He said he had heard a loud noise and saw the temple collapsing before he ran for his life. He said he hoped his family was safe somewhere and prayed to Lord Shiva to save them.
Another survivor was Rajesh, a 35-year-old shopkeeper who had come to the temple with his wife and two children. He said he was inside the temple when he felt the ground shaking and saw rocks falling from the hillside. He grabbed his wife and children and ran towards the exit, but his wife got stuck under a boulder. He said he tried to pull her out but failed. He said he managed to get out with his children and alerted the rescue teams about his wife.
He said he was waiting anxiously for any news about his wife's condition and hoped she was still alive. He said he had faith in God and thanked him for saving his children.
The chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, visited the site of the tragedy on Monday and expressed his grief and condolences to the bereaved families. He said the state government would provide all possible assistance and support to the affected people. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of those who died in the incident.
He said he had directed the authorities to ensure speedy rescue operations and urged people to stay indoors and avoid going near rivers and landslide-prone areas. He said this monsoon season had seen the highest number of cloudburst incidents in the state in the past 50 years and appealed to people to be alert and cautious.
The home affairs minister of India, Amit Shah, also expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives in Shimla and said he was in touch with the state government. He said national disaster response teams were engaged in relief and rescue operations along with the local administration. He offered his deepest condolences to the bereaved families.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Himachal Pradesh on Monday and predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of the state till Wednesday. The IMD also warned of possible flash floods, landslides, mudslides and road blockages due to rain-induced debris.
The heavy rains have caused widespread damage to crops, fertile land and official and private buildings in all parts of Himachal Pradesh. Several roads, including the key Shimla-Chandigarh road, have been blocked by landslides, stranding hundreds of vehicles. The state has announced the closure of all schools and colleges till August 16.
The monsoon season in India, which lasts from June to September, brings much-needed rain for agriculture but also causes floods and landslides that claim lives and damage property every year. Some scientists say that climate change is making India's monsoon season more chaotic and erratic, increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
Sources:
(1) In Shimla temple that collapsed, 7 of family carrying out a havan. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/in-shimla-temple-that-collapsed-7-of-family-carrying-out-a-havan-8894343/.
(2) At collapsed temple site in Shimla, anxious eyes in search of loved ones: ‘Hope they are safe somewhere’. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/shimla-cloudburst-temple-collapse-search-operation-8893596/.
(3) 9 dead as temple collapses in rain-hit Shimla; Chief Minister visits site. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/himachal-pradesh-landslide-30-feared-trapped-worshipping-shiv-temple-shimla-2420652-2023-08-14.
(4) Himachal Pradesh flooding: People trapped under a collapsed temple as .... https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/14/asia/india-himachal-pradesh-trapped-temple-rain-climate-intl/index.html.
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