Mandi Himachal Pradesh landslide: Nine homes evacuated as boulders threaten village

Directions were issued to evacuate nine houses in Ropdu village in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district on Sunday following a massive landslide, according to a report by PTI.

The landslide occurred in the Kotli subdivision after intermittent rains over the past three days. A cow shed was completely damaged, while large boulders and debris remain precariously perched on the hillside, posing a grave and immediate threat to the village below.

Officials and the former Pradhan (village head) rushed to the scene and directed the evacuation of the nine endangered houses. A video of the landslide went viral on social media. Residents said hill-cutting work is currently underway at the site.

Weather alerts and forecasts

Meanwhile, the local Meteorological station issued a yellow warning on Sunday, predicting thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph at isolated places in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi districts on Monday and Thursday.

The station also forecast a wet spell over the next five days, despite dry conditions and bright sunshine on Sunday. Light rain or snow is likely at isolated places on March 23, 24, 25, 27, and 28, as a fresh, feeble Western Disturbance is expected to affect northwest India from March 26.

Minimum temperatures, which rose marginally, are expected to continue a rising trend over the next two to three days, while maximum temperatures are likely to increase gradually by 2 to 5 degrees Celsius over the next four to five days.

Kukumseri recorded the lowest temperature at minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, while Una was the hottest during the day at 30.2 degrees Celsius.

(With inputs from PTI)