Heavy rains and landslides wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh on Monday, killing at least 16 people and leaving many more missing.
In Shimla, nine people were killed in a landslide that buried a Shiv temple and several houses in the Summer Hill and Fagli areas.
In Solan district, seven members of a family were killed in a cloudburst. Two houses were washed away following the cloudburst on Sunday night.
All schools and colleges in the state were closed on Monday. According to the state emergency operation centre, 752 roads were closed in the state because of the calamity.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that many people were feared buried in the two landslides and rescue operations are going on in full swing.
He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased.
The rains have also caused widespread damage to infrastructure in the state. Several bridges and culverts have been washed away, and power and communication lines have been disrupted.
The state government has urged people to stay away from vulnerable areas and to be cautious while travelling.
