TNR News Network
Shimla:
The renowned St Edward’s School in Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla’s Himland area has been ordered shut for two days following a massive landslide near its premises. The landslide, triggered by days of incessant rainfall, has posed a serious threat to a nearby building, prompting authorities to evacuate the structure as a safety measure.
Around 2 am, a large landslide occurred on Circular Road near St Edward’s School, a key educational institution in the state. The falling debris blocked the main road and endangered a residential building adjacent to the school. In response, the district administration swiftly evacuated the threatened structure to prevent any casualties.
The Shimla Deputy Commissioner issued an official order declaring the school closed on September 19 and 20 to ensure the safety of students. While students have been advised to stay home, teaching and administrative staff have also been exempted from reporting to the campus. However, online classes will continue during the closure period.
Road blockages bring daily life to a halt
The landslide has also brought the Circular Road traffic to a standstill, severely disrupting movement across parts of Shimla. With public transportation services halted or rerouted, residents were forced to walk long distances to reach their workplaces.
Buses from Chhota Shimla and BCS-Khalini could only operate up to Talland, while some routes from the Old Bus Stand were shortened to Timber House. Patients, office-goers and school children all faced considerable inconvenience due to the blocked roads.
Rain wreaks havoc across state
The situation in Shimla mirrors a larger crisis unfolding across Himachal Pradesh, where continuous rainfall has led to over 555 road closures due to landslides and flashfloods. In Kinnaur, a cloudburst has devastated orchards, compounding the misery for local residents.
As road restoration efforts continue, the Meteorological Department has warned of more rain in the coming days, keeping officials and residents on high alert. Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken serious note of the deteriorating condition of National Highways and has ordered a temporary halt to toll collection at Sanwara on the Chandigarh-Shimla national highway.
