A massive landslide in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh has claimed six lives, including four members of a single family, while rescue operations are still underway. The incident occurred in Sundernagar late on Tuesday evening when two houses were buried under debris following heavy rainfall in the region.

Two Houses Swept Away in Landslide

According to the Deputy Commissioner of Mandi, the landslide struck Sundernagar, engulfing two residential houses. One of the houses had four family members inside. A woman and a child were pulled out from the rubble alive but unfortunately succumbed to injuries while being rushed to the hospital. Two more bodies were later recovered from the same site.

In the second house, one more victim was found dead. In addition, a man who was reportedly trapped in his car during the landslide also lost his life, taking the death toll to six. Authorities confirmed that three more people remain missing, and search operations are ongoing.

Army, NDRF, and SDRF Teams on Ground

Teams from the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed at the spot. Officials said that search and rescue personnel are working around the clock to trace the missing individuals, despite challenging weather conditions. Excavators and sniffer dogs have also been pressed into service to clear the debris and locate survivors.

Heavy Rain Triggers Widespread Disruption

The landslide comes amid continuous heavy rainfall across Himachal Pradesh. The state’s weather department has issued an orange alert for heavy downpours in districts including Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kinnaur. A heavy rain warning has also been issued for Una and Bilaspur.

The relentless rain has caused widespread disruption, with 1,337 roads, including several national highways, blocked due to landslides and flooding. District authorities in Shimla, Kangra, and Sirmaur have ordered the closure of all government and private educational institutions, including coaching centers and nursing colleges, for the day.

Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said the decision was taken following continuous rainfall and warnings from the Geological Survey of India. He added that schools have been directed to conduct online classes until conditions improve.

Families in Shock, Villages on Alert

Local reports suggest that the affected families in Sundernagar had little time to react as the landslide struck suddenly after continuous rainfall weakened the hillside. Relatives of the victims rushed to the site as rescue teams cleared debris through the night. Villagers in nearby areas have been put on high alert, with district officials urging residents to avoid landslide-prone zones.

Increasing Landslide Threat in Himachal

Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a sharp increase in landslides in recent years due to unplanned construction, deforestation, and climate-related changes. Experts warn that continued heavy rainfall further increases the risk of slope failures and flash floods. The state government has urged people to stay indoors and follow official advisories strictly.

Rescue Efforts Continue

As of Wednesday morning, rescue operations in Sundernagar remain underway. Authorities are hopeful of locating the missing persons soon but admit that chances of survival are dwindling with each passing hour. The district administration has assured financial assistance to the families of the deceased and promised all necessary support to those affected.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the vulnerability of hilly regions like Himachal Pradesh to natural disasters, especially during the monsoon season.