SHIMLA: In yet another grim reminder of the city’s fragile slopes and civic negligence, a massive landslide struck the Circular Road near St. Edward’s School and Himland Hotel in the early hours of Thursday, blocking traffic and forcing the closure of the school for two days.
The sliding zone, long marked as a danger spot, gave way around 2:00 am, threatening nearby multi-storeyed buildings. One of these has already been evacuated as a precaution. Luckily, no loss of life has been reported.
This stretch has a history of disaster. In 2023, multi-storey flats collapsed here after the supporting wall gave way. Despite warnings, the authorities raised a temporary retaining wall, ignoring seepage from uphill drains.
This year, the old wall of another adjoining building caved in—clear warning signs that were brushed aside by the building owners, the SMC, and the PWD. Their negligence has now come home to roost.
With the road blocked, Shimla woke up to chaos. Buses from Chhota Shimla, BCS-Khalini and the Old Bus Stand could only ply part routes, forcing schoolchildren, office-goers, patients, and attendants to walk long stretches on foot.
The Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap has ordered St. Edward’s School closed on September 19 and 20. Students will attend classes online, while teachers and staff have been exempted from reporting.
Incessant rains across Shimla district have already left the city battered, but Thursday’s landslide has once again exposed the dangerous cocktail of weak slopes, unchecked construction, and official apathy.
Road restoration work is underway, but for residents and commuters, the fear of another collapse looms large.
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