In Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, a tunnel under construction collapsed unexpectedly. The incident occurred on the Chandigarh-Shimla four-lane road at the Chalaunthi area of Sanjauli. The tunnel, known as the Titri Tunnel, was 400 meters long and the work on its portal was ongoing.
Details of the Collapse
During the construction, some rocks and soil initially fell. This led to a landslide, which caused the tunnel’s portal to collapse. Fortunately, all the workers had already exited the tunnel, and the machinery had also been removed before the collapse.
The National Highway Authority was working to stabilize the hillside and continue the tunnel excavation when a large part of the hillside fell, blocking the tunnel’s entrance.
Impact of Heavy Rain
Heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh has caused widespread damage. Due to landslides and flash floods, 197 roads, including two national highways, are closed. Flooding has affected areas in Una, Chamba, Mandi, Kinnaur, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Solan districts. Since June 27, at least 110 people have died due to rain-related incidents, and the state has incurred approximately 1,004 crores in damage.
Power and Water Supply Disruptions
In addition to the road closures, 221 power supply schemes and 143 water supply schemes have been disrupted. The Regional Meteorological Department has issued a ‘yellow’ alert for heavy rain in various parts of the state until Saturday and has warned of a risk of light to moderate flooding in Chamba, Kinnaur, Sirmaur, and Shimla districts until Tuesday.
Rainfall Measurements
Since Sunday evening, various areas have recorded significant rainfall: 115 mm in Nagal Dam, 87 mm in Kasauli, 56 mm in Una, 82.2 mm in Naina Devi, 79 mm in Olinda, 75.4 mm in Jaton Barrage, 72.5 mm in Nadaun, 62 mm in Paonta Sahib, 60.6 mm in Sujanpur Tira, and 56.5 mm in Dhaulakuan.
