Kullu Landslide: Search Continues for 7 Missing After Twin Disasters in Inner Akhara Bazaar

Rescue operations ongoing amid adverse weather

Grief and anxiety hang over residents of Kullu’s Inner Akhara Bazaar after back-to-back landslides—one on Wednesday and another on Thursday morning—left 11 people buried under debris. As of Friday morning, seven people remain untraced.

The latest landslide, triggered by relentless rainfall on Thursday, ripped through several parts of the densely populated bazaar. At least nine people were trapped under mud and debris; one body has been recovered and three survivors rescued, while five remain missing.

This disaster struck barely a day after a similar landslide in the same area on Wednesday morning, which buried two individuals. Despite round-the-clock efforts, rescuers have found no trace of them so far.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), District Disaster Management Authority, local police, and the district administration remain deployed at the site. Search operations were briefly suspended overnight due to safety concerns but resumed early Friday.

“Rescue efforts are ongoing, but progress has been slow due to heavy rain and unstable terrain,” a senior police officer said. Narrow lanes and tightly packed buildings in the bazaar have further complicated the mission.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of homes collapsing and debris sweeping away everything in its path. The suddenness of the disaster left little room for evacuation, intensifying panic in the crowded neighborhood.

Families of the missing victims are in deep anguish but continue to cling to hope as they wait anxiously near the site—some since Wednesday morning. Emotional scenes have unfolded, with relatives desperately seeking updates.

Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow safety advisories as heavy rains persist. Temporary shelters and relief measures are being arranged for displaced families.

The district administration has assured that all possible resources are being mobilized to speed up rescue efforts while ensuring the safety of both relief workers and locals.

For now, seven people remain missing, and officials have warned that the risk of further landslides cannot be ruled out. More details will be shared as the situation develops.