Landslide blocks NH near Jeori

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 6

The National Highway-5 was blocked for vehicular traffic near Jeori in Rampur subdivision of Shimla district following a landslide on Monday morning. However, no casualty was reported as there was neither any vehicle nor any person on the stretch when the landslide occurred.

The slide took place 3 km ahead of Jeori towards Nugalsari (Kinnaur), where 28 persons were killed in another landslide on August 11. Local residents blamed the hydro power projects for frequent landslides in the area.

Yadvendra Pal, Rampur SDM, said, “Three JCB machines have been deployed on both sides to clear the highway and 50 per cent of the work has been done. One-way traffic is expected to be restored by tonight, if the shooting stones do not disrupt the ongoing clearing work”.

A large number of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road as there was no way to divert traffic, while small vehicles were being stopped in Jeori.

Till now, 53 persons have lost their lives in 39 landslides during the current monsoon (since June 13). The maximum casualties were reported in Kinnaur district (37) followed by Kangra (10), Solan and Shimla (two each), Mandi and Lahaul and Spiti (one each).

As per the data shared by the Disaster Management Cell of the Revenue Department, the highest number of 16 slides occurred in Lahaul and Spiti district, five each took place in Mandi and Shimla, three each in Solan, Kinnaur and Chamba while two landslides each in Sirmaur and Kangra districts.