The massive landslide that occurred at Nigulsari in Himachal’s Kinnaur district on Wednesday has claimed 14 lives while 16 people are still missing. 13 people have been rescued after the accident that took place around 12 noon on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister, while talking to the mediapersons here said that the death toll rose to 14 as four more bodies were recovered with the resumption of rescue operations on Thursday. Out of 13 who were rescued, five are undergoing medical treatment at Bhawanagar hospital and two people have been referred to other hospitals, he said.
The rescue operation had to be suspended due to rainfall and shooting stones at the site on Thursday evening, keeping in view the safety of rescue teams, Thakur said. The ITBP, NDRF, CISF, state Police personnel and local people are conducting the relief and rescue operations.
The rescue operation will resume again to find 16 missing persons, he said.
We have made adequate arrangements of boarding and lodging for the rescue teams and the family members of the missing persons as well as the injured, he added.
Thakur alongwith Transport Minister Bikram Singh, had visited the spot to take stock of the rescue work on Thursday morning. The State Government has announced financial compensation of Rs five lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50000 to those seriously injured in the incident.
The Chief Minister said free treatment would also be provided to the injured by the State Government.
Five vehicles, including an ill-fated Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus carrying passengers, one truck and three small vehicles were buried after boulders and debris came crashing on them on Wednesday at Nigulsari. The HRTC bus was on its way from Reckong Peo in Kinnaur to Haridwar.
Thakur said that the HRTC bus driver had stopped there, seeing falling stones. As boulders started falling at the site where the vehicles were stationed, the driver, conductor and two other passengers who alighted from the bus saved themselves by taking shelter under a rock and were later rescued.
The bus was crushed under the rubble and its pieces were found scattered here and there, he said.
He said that the State Government has decided to conduct a geological survey of the area as a long term solution to the problem of landslides.
As many as 248 people have lost their lives since June 13 due to various incidents during heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh this monsoon season, he added.