Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 5 Aug: The incessant rain in Mussoorie is becoming a source of distress for residents. On Wednesday, a protective retaining wall at the Lok Bhavan staff quarters, located near the Library-Kempty taxi stand, suddenly collapsed due to heavy rainfall. As the wall gave way, a massive amount of stones and debris surged directly into the living quarters, damaging furniture, bedding, household appliances, and other essential items. Two people were inside the room when the incident occurred; upon hearing a loud crash, they immediately ran out to safety. A delay of even a few moments could have resulted in a major tragedy.
The incident caused chaos across the complex, leaving three neighbouring families terrified. Local resident Roopchand stated that the retaining wall had weakened due to the continuous rain. The sudden collapse sent a deluge of stones and debris into the room, ruining almost all the household belongings. He noted that the threat of landslides persists in the area, forcing residents to live in fear. Locals point out that the relentless rain has compromised the stability of retaining walls and slopes in many parts of the hilly region. They warn that without timely safety measures, major accidents could occur in the future. Residents have urged the administration to inspect the site immediately, reconstruct the damaged wall, ensure slope stability, and provide relief to the affected families. Meanwhile, amidst the ongoing rain, the fear of further mishaps continues to loom over the local population.
