Munish Sood
Mandi
A pilgrimage to the revered Simsa Mata Temple turned tragic on Friday when a woman was k*illed and seven others were injured after a sudden landslide triggered a rockfall near Gumma in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district.
The victims, members of the same family from Sultanpur in Kullu district, were travelling in two vehicles to seek blessings at the famous Simsa Mata Temple in Lad Bharol. According to officials, the family had halted near Gumma at around 10 a.m. for a brief stop when massive boulders suddenly rolled down the hillside, leaving them with little time to react.
Rameshwari Sharma, wife of Gopal Krishna and a resident of Sultanpur, died on the spot after being struck by a boulder. Seven other family members sustained injuries in the incident.
The injured were rescued with the help of local residents, police personnel and the district administration before being rushed to the Civil Hospital at Jogindernagar. They are currently undergoing treatment.
The incident triggered panic in the area as terrified family members and passersby scrambled for safety. Heart-rending scenes unfolded at the hospital, where relatives broke down in grief over the woman’s death. Videos circulating from the hospital captured the family’s anguish as police officials recorded their statements.
Police reached the spot immediately after receiving information, secured the area and shifted the deceased’s body for post-mortem examination. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.
The tragedy serves as another stark reminder of the dangers posed by unstable hill slopes during the monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh. Authorities have advised commuters and pilgrims to remain vigilant while travelling through landslide-prone stretches, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
