Two persons were killed while several others were buried under the debris as a five-storied dilapidated building collapsed following heavy rains in Rohroo area in Shimla on Wednesday.

“The deceased have been identified as Nishu and Anshu,” SDM, Rohroo, Y P S Verma said. Six persons were rescued from under the debris of the building that was situated near Saraswati Nagar. They have been admitted to hospital and were stated to be out of danger. The building is owned by one Joginder Singh and housed a pesticide shop, a hardware shop and tea stalls.

The hardware shop owner closed the shop around 1:30 PM, just an hour before the mishap occurred while the tea stall and pesticide shop owners ran out just in time, police said.

“Efforts are on to rescue people who are still trapped. NDRF’s help has been sought,” Verma said. “A contingent of NDRF has been dispatched from Sunni and is likely to reach by 11 PM. Rescue operations will continue even after dusk for which a generator has been arranged”, he added.

The local administration is yet to ascertain if the persons buried under the debris are alive. Meanwhile, moderate rains occurred in some parts of the
state with Paonta Sahib receiving the highest 40 mm rains, followed by Palampur 26 mm, Jubbal 10 mm, Sundernagar and Sangraha 8 mm, Sarahan and Kalpa 7 mm, Rohru 6 mm and Bharwara 5 mm rainfall.

[source;indianexpress]