Two more bodies retrieved from debris of temple in Shimla, many feared missing

Shimla, Aug 15 (IANS) Rescuers on Tuesday retrieved two more bodies from debris of a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that collapsed due to a landslide a day earlier in Summer Hill locality of the Himachal Pradesh's capital owing to torrential rains and many feared missing.

The number of deaths in twin landslide-related incidents in Shimla has risen to 16, while in the state increased to 53 since Monday.

Another landslide in Shimla was reported in Fagli locality that claimed five lives.

"Two teams of 14 NDRF conducted search and rescue operation and retrieved two dead bodies from Summer Hill, near Shiv Bawadi," said the 14th NDRF, adding, the operation is underway.

Besides the National Disaster Response Force, the Army, the police and the State Disaster Response Force has been carrying out the search operation.

At least a dozen people are feared buried in the Shiv temple site. After the disaster, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu took stock of the situation where the temple caved in, and directed the officials to speed up the rescue operation.

The Chief Minister told the media that there was a gathering at the Lord Shiva temple at the time of the disaster owing to the holy month of Shravan. He said many people are feared to be caught under the debris due to heavy landslide.

The work of removing the debris in search of people is underway. Sukhu said the entire state is dealing with a grim situation as cloudbursts and landslides hit many parts, resulting in heavy loss of life and property.