Himachal Pradesh: Landslide blocks Kalka-Shimla heritage track

SHIMLA: Heavy rainfall resulted into landslide at Patta Morh near Kumrhatti in Solan district on Thursday morning blocking the Kalka-Shimla Unesco World heritage track for few hours.
Passengers travelling in the toy train had narrow escape as the landslide had resulted into falling of heavy boulders on the rail track and engine driver had applied timely breaks to avoid the collision of train with the debris.
Till the filing of report track was blocked and work was in progress to reopen it.
According to sources, landslide occurred around 9.30am and when the toy training after leaving Dharampur station moved towards Kumarhatti, a sudden landslide occurred at Patta Morh and heavy boulders, uprooted tree and debris fell on the railway line and seeing this engine driver applied sudden breaks to stop the train. On receiving the information, railway team reached at the spot and started the work to clear the debris from the track.
Incessant rainfall is resulting into landslides in different parts of the state during monsoon season. In Shimla town, an incident of landslide occurred at Bangala Colony, Tutu in which one retaining wall fell down due to which one house is in danger. Family staying in the house has been evacuated safely. In Sirmaur district, landslide at Bohrad blocked the Paonta-Shillai-Gumma national highway for several hours in the morning and traffic was restored at around 10.30 am.
Indian Meteorological Centre, Shimla, has warned of more rainfall in coming days by stating that under the influence of extra tropical disturbances and monsoonal winds, light to moderate rainfall is very likely to continue in low and mid hills district of State during next 4-5 days.
High probability of light to moderate precipitation in upper hills namely parts of Lahual-Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba districts has been warned during next 4-5 days. There is possibilities of heavy rainfall in the districts of Kangra, Kullu, Mandi ,Shimla, Solan Sirmaur, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, during next 3 to 4 days.
It has also been warned that there is high probability of landslides along State and National Highways beside increased runoff in seasonal nullah and other channels leading to flash floods. There is high probability of landslides and flash floods in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba districts. Cloud burst in vulnerable districts including Kullu, Shimla, Kinnaur, Lauhal- Spiti and adjoining area has also been warned.