Shimla Mayor orders probe and action after Bothwell landslide threatens residential buildings

A massive landslide struck Shimla’s Bothwell area near Sanjauli College early Saturday, damaging access to residential houses and forcing authorities to advise several families to vacate their homes as a precaution. Shimla Mayor Surinder Chauhan said strict action would be taken against those responsible if construction was found to have violated the monsoon ban.

The incident occurred around 4 am after a retaining wall beneath the road leading to Sanjauli College gave way. The collapse sent soil and debris downhill towards houses below. No injuries or deaths were reported, but residents said multiple buildings are now vulnerable to further slope movement.

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Retaining wall collapse cuts off access to homes

According to officials and local residents, the landslide blocked the pathway leading to several houses in the locality.

Residents estimated that three to four residential buildings now fall within the danger zone. They warned that continued soil movement could trigger a bigger disaster unless immediate stabilisation work is undertaken.

People living in the area rushed out of their homes after the landslide and remained outdoors for hours despite heavy rain. Residents said police personnel later reached the site and advised families to leave their homes as a safety measure.

Several affected families, however, said they had nowhere else to relocate and were uncertain about alternative accommodation.

Mayor promises action against illegal construction

During a visit to the site, Mayor Surinder Chauhan said the owner of the construction project had accepted responsibility and had been directed to build a retaining wall at their own expense to stabilise the slope.

“The construction owner has accepted responsibility, and we have issued written directions to construct the retaining wall at the earliest. Strict action will be taken against any construction carried out despite the ban,” Chauhan said.

He said the Municipal Corporation had earlier issued a stop-work notice to the construction owner and had also examined whether the work was being carried out according to the approved building plan.

According to the Mayor, the preliminary assessment suggests the landslide was primarily caused by hill cutting linked to the construction activity, although water seepage was initially suspected. He said the water pipeline in the area had already been shut to rule out leakage as a contributing factor.

“Our immediate priority is the safety of residents. If required, families living in vulnerable houses will be shifted to safer locations,” Chauhan said.

He added that officials, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and local revenue authorities, have been deployed to monitor the situation, while affected houses are being continuously assessed.

Residents allege delay in response

Locals claimed they repeatedly contacted public representatives from early morning but did not receive any response. They alleged that calls made to the councillor, MLA and mayor went unanswered and said no elected representative visited the affected area.

They appealed to the district administration to provide immediate relief, ensure the safety of residents and take steps to prevent further damage.

Residents link landslide to nearby excavation

Residents also alleged that a private construction project permitted by the Municipal Corporation involved extensive excavation on the hillside.

They claimed persistent monsoon rain weakened the excavated slope before it collapsed. The residents have demanded that construction activity be stopped immediately and that authorities conduct a detailed geological survey of the site.

The latest incident has also revived concerns over a landslide at the same location on June 28, 2025, when debris and large rocks crashed into nearby houses and trapped several women and children.

Referring to the India Meteorological Department’s heavy rainfall warnings, Chauhan said the Municipal Corporation had deployed all available machinery and hired around 100 to 150 labourers for emergency response. He added that dangerous trees in vulnerable areas were also being removed as a precaution.

With heavy rain continuing across Shimla, authorities are maintaining close surveillance in landslide-prone locations as the monsoon remains active.