2 killed in building collapse following heavy rains in Shimla

Shimla, August 17(PTI) Two persons were killed whileseveral others were buried under the debris as a five-storieddilapidated building collapsed following heavy rains in Rohrooarea here today. "The deceased have been identified as Nishu and Anshu,"SDM, Rohroo, Y P S Verma said. Six persons were rescued from under the debris of thebuilding that was situated near Saraswati Nagar. They havebeen admitted to hospital and were stated to be out of danger. The building is owned by one Joginder Singh and housed apesticide shop, a hardware shop and tea stalls. The hardware shop owner closed the shop around 1:30 PM,just an hour before the mishap occurred while the tea stalland pesticide shop owners ran out just in time, police said. "Efforts are on to rescue people who are still trapped.NDRF’s help has been sought," Verma said. "A contingent of NDRF has been dispatched from Sunni andis likely to reach by 11 PM. Rescue operations will continueeven after dusk for which a generator has been arranged”, headded. The local administration is yet to ascertain if thepersons buried under the debris are alive. Meanwhile, moderate rains occurred in some parts of thestate with Paonta Sahib receiving the highest 40 mm rains,followed by Palampur 26 mm, Jubbal 10 mm, Sundernagar andSangraha 8 mm, Sarahan and Kalpa 7 mm, Rohru 6 mm and Bharwara5 mm rainfall. Minimum temperatures dropped marginally across the state.Keylong was coldest with 10.2 degree, Kalpa 12.0 degree,Manali 13.0 degree, Shimla 15.4 degrees, Dharamsala 17.2degree, Palampur 17.5 degree, Solan 19.0 degree, Bhuntar andNahan 20.0 degree, Sundernagar 20.9 degree and Una 25.0 degreeCelsius. Una was hottest in the region with maximum temperature35.6 degree followed by  Sundernagar 31.3 degree, Dharamshala29.6 degree ,Bhuntar  28.0 degree, Nahan  25.8 degree,Solan 25.5 degree, Manali 24.2 degree, Shimla 22.0 degree and Kalpa18.0 degree. The local MeT office has predicted rains and thundershowers at isolated places across the state for the next sixdays. PTI PCL CHT RGCHT