KULLU, Sept. 5 — Grief and anxiety gripped Inner Akhara Bazaar in Kullu after two back-to-back landslides buried 11 people this week, leaving seven still missing as of Friday morning.
Triggered by days of relentless rainfall, a major landslide swept through the congested locality on Thursday morning, trapping at least nine residents under mud and debris. Officials said one body was recovered, three injured victims were rescued, and five people remain untraced.
The disaster struck less than 24 hours after a similar slide in the same neighborhood buried two people on Wednesday morning. Despite continuous search efforts, no sign of the missing pair has been found. “Rescue work is ongoing, but progress has been slow due to unfavorable weather conditions and the unstable terrain,” a senior police officer said.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force, District Disaster Management Authority, local police, and district administration remain on-site, continuing intensive operations. Authorities said search efforts were suspended overnight on safety grounds but resumed at daybreak on Friday. Narrow lanes and dense construction in Inner Akhara Bazaar have hampered the movement of heavy equipment and complicated the rescue.
The twin disasters have sparked panic among residents, who described terrifying scenes as houses crumbled and waves of debris tore through the crowded marketplace. “The landslide came suddenly, and there was no time to react,” an eyewitness said, recalling the chaos of people running for cover.
Families of those still trapped have waited anxiously at the site for days, holding on to hope even as chances of survival fade. Emotional scenes unfolded Friday morning as relatives clutched photographs and appealed for updates. “We just want to know if they are alive,” one distraught family member said.
Officials have urged residents in vulnerable zones to stay alert and follow advisories, warning that more landslides could occur as rain continues. Relief camps and temporary shelters are being established for displaced families. “All possible resources are being mobilized to speed up rescue efforts while ensuring the safety of responders and locals,” a district administration spokesperson said.
As operations continue, the official toll stands at one confirmed dead, three rescued, and seven still missing. Authorities said further updates would be issued as the situation develops.
