Shimla Tragedy Exposes Government and Administration Gaps Amidst Disaster in Summerhill
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Shimla, August 14: The calamity that struck Summerhill in the capital has exposed the shortcomings in the government and administration’s assertions. The incident, which occurred at 7:15 AM, was reported to councilors, police, and authorities, but it took hours for relief operations to begin.
People took matters into their own hands to excavate their missing loved ones trapped under the debris. According to eyewitnesses, the army personnel from the nearby Army Colony were the first to reach the scene around 8 AM. They initiated the removal of debris alongside the locals.
Around 8:15 AM, the police and local councilor Veerendra Thakur arrived at the scene. Heavy machinery was needed to remove the debris, but the road leading to the temple had already collapsed. At around 8:30 AM, soldiers who descended into the ditch recovered the bodies of two children. A third body was retrieved at 9 AM. The sight of the bodies of loved ones triggered cries and screams at the scene. Local people were arranged to cut trees to assist in the rescue.
Approximately two hours later, at 9:30 AM, personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) arrived at the site. The machinery was finally deployed to start the task of removing debris from the temple’s rooftop. Although a JCB machine was available on the site, it lacked fuel. By noon, around 1:00 PM, the first JCB from the administration arrived at the scene.
Residents Speak Out, Criticizing Inadequate Disaster Management
The delay in receiving machinery for relief work and the slow response of administration teams angered the affected residents. They questioned the purpose of disaster management if it fails to function promptly. They emphasized that prompt action could have saved many lives. Former councilor Shaili Sharma also raised concerns.
She pointed out that it took a few hours for the first JCB to arrive at the scene. She mentioned that if relief work had started within two to three hours, numerous lives could have been saved. She mentioned that several residents of Summerhill have lost their family members in this tragic incident.
As bodies were recovered one by one, the cries and shouts grew louder. The community rallied together to locate their loved ones. A 17-year-old youth from Summerhill, Sauarv, also went missing under the debris. His mother spent the entire day searching for him. By afternoon, several families arrived at the scene, worried about their missing family members.
As the bodies continued to be retrieved, the scene became increasingly emotional. Many hands and feet emerged from the debris, evoking a sense of shock among the onlookers. The storeroom of the temple, the priest’s residence, and the puja hall had all been buried. According to locals, the sole priest was currently in Shimla alone, as his family had traveled to their village. Three motorcycles were also recovered from the debris.
