A bulldozer clearing debris from a road in Shimla drove away from the hill and fell into a deep gorge of more than 300 meters. The incident was caught on camera, causing the machine to crash through several road levels, as it fell down.
Many vehicles were parked on the road, waiting, as the road ahead of the falling rocks and mud was blocked recently due to rain. The bulldozer was working to clean the path when he suddenly slipped and fell down from the hill.
After a while, a man was seen climbing the slope to reach the rubble. NDTV reported that the bulldozer driver was taken out and rushed to the hospital, but died of serious injuries.
This incident occurs when heavy monsoon rains continue in Himachal Pradesh. Landslides, flash floods and damaged roads have been reported from many parts of the state.
According to the State Disaster Management Authority, 179 people have died during this year’s monsoon. Of these, 101 deaths were caused by natural phenomena directly such as landslides, flash floods and electricity, while the rest were due to road accidents, many were associated with bad weather and unsafe conditions.
By Friday evening, more than 400 roads were blocked, power supply was hit in many places, and about 200 water supply systems were interrupted.
Officials said that the National Highway -505 and landslide at Lahaul remain closed. The collapse and bridges of houses have been washed in many areas.
Rescuers are working around the clock, but the authorities have warned that continuous rain may slow down relief efforts and delay the restoration of essential services such as road connectivity and electricity.
People have been advised to stay indoors and call 1070 for any emergency assistance. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Saturday identified three trucks that supply the necessary relief in floods and landslides-hit areas in Mandi and Kullu.
The assistance sent through the State Red Cross Society includes tents, blankets, tarapalin, foods, and other daily-use materials that are for more than 1,200 affected families.
