9 September,2025-A devastating landslide struck Sharmani village in the Nirmand subdivision of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, during the early hours of Monday, around 1:30 AM. The disaster resulted in the tragic death of a woman and left four members of her family feared trapped under the debris of their collapsed home.
Heavy rainfall triggered the massive landslide, which engulfed two houses in the village. The affected family members were asleep when the landslide struck, leaving them with little time to react. The deceased has been identified as Brasiti Devi, wife of Shiv Ram. Four others—Chunni Lal, Anju, Jagriti, and Bhupesh—remain missing as search operations continue. Three individuals, including Shiv Ram, were rescued and are currently receiving medical attention at a local hospital.
Rescue operations were promptly initiated by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with local administration and police. Despite the challenging terrain and ongoing heavy rains, teams managed to recover one body and rescue three people. The remaining four family members are still unaccounted for, and efforts continue to locate them.
The Himachal Pradesh government expressed deep condolences over the loss. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured that all necessary support would be provided to the affected families. The local administration announced immediate financial relief: ₹25,000 to the next of kin of the deceased, ₹5,000 each to the injured, and ₹10,000 for each destroyed house.
This tragedy forms part of a series of monsoon-related disasters in Himachal Pradesh this season. As of early September 2025, the state has reported 378 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, and building collapses. The monsoon has been particularly severe this year, with heavy rainfall increasing the risk of such natural calamities.
The incident in Sharmani village underscores the vulnerability of rural communities in hilly terrains to natural disasters. While rescue operations continue, the tragedy highlights the urgent need for enhanced preparedness and infrastructure development to mitigate the impact of such disasters in the future.
