Shimla: A large landslide hit the Bothwell area near Sanjauli College in Shimla in the early hours of Saturday, forcing residents to flee and leaving several houses at risk.
The slide occurred at about 4:00 a.m., when most people were asleep. No casualties have been reported so far, but officials and locals said debris and loosened soil from a collapsed retaining wall above the road to Sanjauli College swept downhill, severing the access route to multiple homes.
Residents said three to four buildings now lie in the immediate danger zone and warned that further soil movement could cause significant damage. Many families abandoned their homes overnight and waited in the rain for help after frantic calls to authorities.
Police reached the site and advised precautionary evacuation, but some affected residents said they had nowhere else to go. They also accused elected representatives — including the councillor, MLA and mayor — of not responding to calls or visiting the area.
Locals blamed nearby private construction that, they say, involved large-scale excavation of the hillside. They allege that continuous rain weakened the disturbed slope, triggering the slide, and demanded that work be stopped and a detailed geological survey be carried out.
The incident follows a similar landslide at the same site on June 28, 2025, when falling debris and boulders struck houses and trapped residents. With the monsoon season under way, residents urged the district administration to provide immediate relief, secure the area and take steps to prevent further collapses.
Authorities have begun assessments of the slope and the affected houses, and an official response is awaited.
(Inputs from IANS)