4-storey building falls in Himachal's Chopal

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 9

A four-storey commercial building housing two banks (UCO bank and land mortgage bank), a dhaba and a beer bar collapsed in the Chopal market today. Cracks started developing in the foundation of the building first. However, no casualty was reported.

Luckily, it was a bank holiday

Luckily, it was a bank holiday and there were no employees, otherwise evacuating people on the third floor would have been a daunting task. Chet Singh, SDM, Chopal

A major tragedy was averted as people sitting in the bar heard a cracking sound and immediately informed the customers sitting in the dhaba and within minutes, the building was vacated. There were around 30-35 persons in the building.

Sources said the foundation of the building constructed in 2006 was weak and rain water was seeping into it. Luckily, it was a bank holiday and there were no employees, otherwise evacuating people on the third floor would have been a daunting task, said SDM, Chopal, Chet Singh.

An immediate relief of Rs 15,000 each had been given to the building, dhaba and bar owners, he said and added that a committee would be constituted to analyse the status of buildings and ensure that the buildings have permissions.

The local Met office has issued a yellow warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorm and lightning in low and mid hills for the next four days and predicted a wet spell in the region till July 15.

Moderate to heavy rain lashed several parts and Dhaulakuan with 135 mm rain was the wettest followed by Sihunta (Chamba) 89 mm, Nahan 84 mm, Kangra 72 mm, Shahpur 37 mm, Una and Kasauli 35 mm each, Palampur and Sarahan 31.5 mm each, Nehri (Hamirpur) and Kotkhai 25 mm each and Bharmaur and Shimla 19 mm each.

Meanwhile, in Kasauli, a family from Punjab had a miraculous escape when a big boulder fell on their vehicle and crushed its roof. They were outside the car at that time.

Expect heavy rain for 4 days

The local Met office has issued a yellow warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorm and lightning in low and mid hills for the next four days and predicted a wet spell in the region till July 15.

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