Weather Havoc in Himachal: 8-Year-Old Boy Crushed to Death as Pine Tree Falls in Storm

Hamirpur, April 17: A powerful storm that swept through parts of Himachal Pradesh late Tuesday night has claimed the life of an 8-year-old boy in a heart-wrenching accident in Mehre village, under the Barsar subdivision of Hamirpur district.

The tragedy unfolded when a massive pine tree, weakened by fierce winds, came crashing down on a slum shelter located near the Mini Secretariat building in Mehre. The shelter was home to Sarvan Kumar, a migrant laborer from Bihar, who was sleeping inside with his young son Abhishek at the time of the incident.

Rescue Too Late for Young Abhishek

The deafening crash of the falling tree alerted nearby residents, who rushed to the spot and initiated a rescue operation. Sarvan Kumar was pulled out from the debris alive but seriously injured. Sadly, despite the efforts of rescuers, little Abhishek had already succumbed to his injuries by the time he was found.

The injured father was given first aid and later referred to the District Hospital in Hamirpur for advanced treatment. Meanwhile, the child’s body was sent for post-mortem.

Police and Authorities Respond Swiftly

SP Hamirpur, Bhagat Singh Thakur, confirmed the unfortunate incident and assured that an investigation is underway. “All necessary action is being taken. This is a tragic reminder of the damage such weather can cause, especially in vulnerable settlements,” he said.

Extreme Weather Raises Safety Concerns

The incident has sparked concern over the safety of migrant laborers and those living in makeshift homes in forested or exposed areas. As storms become more frequent and intense, better preparedness and safety protocols are being urged across Himachal’s hill districts.

Key Highlights:

• Pine tree uprooted due to strong storm winds

• Victim Abhishek (8) died on the spot; father Sarvan Kumar injured

• Incident occurred near Mini Secretariat, Mehre

• Police and administration responded swiftly to the scene

With changing climate patterns leading to more erratic weather, the need to ensure safe housing for vulnerable communities has become more urgent than ever.