Landslide in Rampur due to heavy rains, apple orchards destroyed

Shimla, September 15: A sudden landslide caused by heavy rains wreaked havoc in Shikari Nala area near Badhal panchayat of Rampur subdivision in Shimla district late Saturday night. The landslide, which occurred around 11 pm, destroyed 10 temporary houses (dogris) and caused extensive damage to apple orchards, causing panic among residents.

The affected families reported hearing a loud sound of debris and falling stones, following which they fled to safer areas, abandoning their homes. “The sound was so loud that it felt as if a cloudburst had occurred,” a local resident said. However, local administration officials have ruled out the possibility of a cloudburst and confirmed that the damage was caused only by a landslide.

The area remains unstable and nearby houses are also at risk of further landslides. Residents have been advised to stay away from their homes until the situation stabilises. Naib Tehsildar Prem Negi confirmed the damage, saying, “The landslide has caused extensive damage to apple orchards and houses. Residents living in vulnerable areas have been instructed to move to safer places.”

Patwaris and other officials are currently assessing the full scale of the destruction while the local administration is closely monitoring the situation. The loss of apple orchards, which are a major source of income for many in the region, has dealt a major blow to the local economy.