On Camera: 5-Storey Shimla House Collapses Amidst Heavy Rain; No Casualties

KhabriDose.com National Desk: On Camera – Five-Storey Shimla House Collapses A Day After Evacuation Amidst Monsoon Fury; Lives Saved!

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – June 30, 2025 – In a terrifying yet fortunate turn of events, a five-storey residential building in Shimla’s Bhattakufar area dramatically collapsed on Monday morning, captured live on camera. The incident, which saw the structure crumble like a deck of cards, mercifully resulted in no casualties or injuries, as all residents had been safely evacuated just a day prior, anticipating the imminent danger.

The incident unfolded in the Mathu Colony, near the Chamyana Super Specialty Hospital, as relentless heavy rainfall continued to lash Himachal Pradesh, amplifying the risks of landslides and structural instabilities across the region. The building, identified as ‘Raj Niwas’ and owned by Ranjana Verma, had developed alarming cracks over the past few days, particularly exacerbated by the recent downpour since Saturday.

According to owner Ranjana Verma, the decision to vacate the premises was made on Sunday night, following incessant rain and visible signs of land subsidence near the building’s foundation. The timely and prudent action by the residents and local authorities prevented what could have been a catastrophic loss of life. Videos circulating widely on social media show the terrifying moments as the multi-storey structure first visibly shifts, then rapidly disintegrates into a pile of debris.

While the immediate cause is attributed to the heavy monsoon rains saturating the unstable hillside, locals and the building owner have strongly pointed fingers at the ongoing construction work for a nearby four-lane highway project. Ranjana Verma and Chamiyana gram panchayat officials allege that unscientific excavation and rock-cutting for the road project had compromised the structural integrity of buildings in the vicinity, leading to the development of cracks and weakening foundations. Complaints had reportedly been raised with the construction company previously, urging them to halt work due to safety concerns, but these pleas went unheeded.

Shimla Rural Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Manjeet Sharma confirmed that the collapsed building had been vacated in time, adding that three to four more adjacent buildings have also been identified as vulnerable and their occupants moved to safer locations as a precautionary measure. An inquiry has been ordered into the role of the highway construction in the collapse.

The incident serves as a grim reminder of the severe impact of monsoon fury in the fragile Himalayan region. Himachal Pradesh has been under a ‘Red Alert’ for heavy to very heavy rainfall, with warnings of flash floods, landslides, and road blockades in multiple districts. Since the onset of monsoon on June 20, rain-related incidents have tragically claimed 20 lives across the state, with four persons still missing. Roads have been blocked, power supply disrupted, and rivers are flowing in spate, prompting authorities to urge extreme caution.

As rescue and relief teams assess the damage and clear debris, the Shimla collapse highlights the critical need for stricter oversight on construction activities in ecologically sensitive zones and robust disaster preparedness measures to safeguard lives during the monsoon season.