By: ML Verma
Shimla: Monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh claimed another life as a retired government employee came under a massive tree here in the outskirts of Shimla last night. Meanwhile, movement of trains on the world-heritage Kalka-Shimla railway line came to a halt today due to massive landslides at several places.
A retired government employee, BD Bhut, came under a massive tree last night as two big trees hit a building at Phagli area on the outskirts of Shimla town. There are also unconfirmed reports about two more weather-related deaths in the state, taking the total toll to 10.
All the ten trains running on the Kalka-Shimla railway line have been suspended as there are massive landslides between Kathalighat and Knoh railway stations, about 15 km from here. Rail officials informed HimVani that two landslides, triggered by excessive rainfall, between Solan and Shimla forced them to suspend operation of trains since last night. Air traffic between Shimla and Delhi also remained suspended today.
Rains have badly affected normal life as more than seven people have been killed in last three days, two persons each in Shimla and Kanagra and three in Kinnaur, while hundreds of link roads have remained closed and number of houses have collapsed.
Traffic is off on the Shimla-Bilaspur national highway due to a massive landslide at Bangora, about 25 km from here. Meanwhile, traffic jam on the Hindustan-Tibet National Highway between Dhali and Theog is creating trouble for people while efforts are on to reopen the Theog-Rohru road.
