Six Trapped, One Dead in Kullu Landslide

A devastating landslide struck Kullu town’s Inner Akhara Bazar area early this morning, damaging two houses and trapping at least six people under the debris. One body has been recovered. Rescue teams from the NDRF, local police, and the fire department managed to pull three people out of the rubble. One of them, critically injured, has been referred to AIIMS Bilaspur, while the other two are being treated at Kullu Hospital.

Two nearby houses also sustained structural damage. In response, the district administration deployed two excavators along with additional machinery to support rescue operations. Public announcements were made, urging residents of Inner Akhara Bazar and the Math area above the market to vacate immediately.

The deceased has been identified as Mehraj Loul (30), a resident of Bandipora district, Kashmir. Those feared trapped include Hussain (45), Rashid Sheikh (47), and Gulzar (51) from Ganderbal district; Tahir Sheikh (23) and Sajjad Ahmad Wani (33) from Bandipora; and Suman, a local resident of Inner Akhara Bazar. Among the injured, Abhinav Sankhyan (32) has been shifted to Bilaspur in critical condition, while Radhika (73) and Kamlesh (60) are receiving treatment in Kullu.

A separate landslide in the same area damaged the Akhara Bazar–Sultanpur road and a house near Jarayat. What began near the Peepal Temple has now spread toward Jarayat, flooding Inner Akhara Road with slush from the overflowing Peepal Temple stream. In Gandhi Nagar, the situation remains precarious, with several homes now at risk. Reports of damage have also emerged from Ropri near Aut-Luhri National Highway-305 in Ani subdivision, while the Peepal Nallah in Parla Bhuntar is in spate.

Meanwhile, the rescue operation for two people trapped in the September 2 landslide in Inner Akhara Bazar was officially called off today, as no trace of them has been found. With heavy rains continuing, most residents have moved to safer areas. In a show of solidarity, local residents have set up community kitchens (langars) to support displaced families.

Locals, however, voiced strong frustration. They said repeated appeals had been made to the district administration, local leaders, and even a cabinet minister to address long-standing issues of drainage, sewage, unauthorized construction, and encroachments in the Math area. Despite assurances, no concrete action was taken. “The minister had promised retaining walls, but the PWD cited lack of funds,” said Ajay, a local resident.

Residents blamed both administrative negligence and irresponsible construction practices in the Math area for the current disaster. Many homes in Inner Akhara Bazar and Math are now structurally unsound and unsafe to live in.