At least 13 people lost their lives after a massive boulder fell onto a moving Tata Sumo in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district on Friday, officials said.
The accident occurred at Kadu Nallah on the Killar–Udaipur road in the tribal Pangi Valley when a large section of the hillside reportedly collapsed, crushing the vehicle. Bharmour-Pangi MLA Dr Janak Raj confirmed that all 13 occupants of the Tata Sumo were killed in the incident.
Rescue teams were immediately deployed to the site, and relief operations are currently underway. Authorities are working to remove the debris and recover the bodies from the severely damaged vehicle.
Monsoon alert in Himachal Pradesh
The incident comes amid ongoing monsoon activity across Himachal Pradesh. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), monsoon conditions are expected to remain normal across the state until July 26.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in several districts between July 23 and July 26. It has also forecast an increase in monsoon activity from July 27, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely across the state from July 27 to July 29.
The current spell of monsoon has already lowered temperatures by around 4–5 degrees Celsius in many parts of the state. While temperatures are expected to stay close to normal until July 26, they are likely to fall further as rainfall intensifies from July 27.
The Killar–Udaipur road runs through rugged and landslide-prone terrain, making it especially susceptible to rockfalls during the monsoon season. Authorities are expected to release a detailed statement after rescue operations conclude.
