Tragic Landslide in Himachal Pradesh Claims 13 Lives in Taxi Incident

A devastating incident occurred in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh on Friday, July 24, when a taxi was tragically buried under a landslide. This disaster unfolded near Kadu Nala along the Udaipur-Pangi road, resulting in the loss of 13 lives, while one individual was rescued with injuries. Rescue operations are ongoing as teams work tirelessly to recover any remaining passengers trapped beneath the rubble. According to Deputy Commissioner Kiran Badana, there were 15 individuals in the Tata Sumo taxi at the time of the landslide. The vehicle was en route to Pangi Valley after the Udaipur-Killar road had been reopened, having been closed previously due to landslides. The accident occurred approximately 60 to 70 kilometers from Lahaul Valley, where a significant section of the mountainside collapsed, sending a torrent of rocks and debris crashing down onto the moving vehicle. The suddenness of the landslide left the passengers with little to no time to react, resulting in the taxi being completely buried under the debris, trapping those inside. One injured passenger was successfully rescued and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, while rescue teams continued their efforts to clear the debris and locate any additional survivors.

In the immediate aftermath of the landslide, police teams from the Tindi Police Station, along with district administration officials and rescue personnel, arrived at the scene to assist with the emergency response. Heavy machinery was deployed to expedite the removal of the debris, facilitating the rescue operation. The Lahaul-Spiti Police confirmed that they received reports of the incident shortly after it occurred, prompting a swift response from rescue teams dispatched to the remote area. Prior to the accident, the passengers had been stranded in Tindi due to the Udaipur-Killar road being blocked by earlier landslides. With the road reopened on Friday, they resumed their journey towards Pangi Valley, unaware of the impending danger that awaited them. Unfortunately, before they could reach their destination, the taxi was caught in the devastating landslide near Kadu Nala.