NEW DELHI: 18 people were killed on Tuesday after a massive landslide struck a private bus near Balughat (Bhallu Bridge) in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district, officials told news agency PTI. The bus, carrying 30-35 passengers was travelling from Marotan to Ghumarwin in Punjab when the incident occurred along the Pathankot–Mandi national highway near the CSIR campus in Palampur.Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” PM Modi said. Earlier, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the tragedy had “deeply shaken” him, adding, “the news of a massive landslide near Balughat (Bhallu Bridge) in the Jhanduta Assembly constituency of Bilaspur district has deeply shaken me.” He said rescue operations were underway “at a war footing”, and that he was in “constant contact with the local administration” receiving minute-by-minute updates. Also read: ‘Terror politics’: BJP says another leader ‘attacked’ in West Bengal during flood-relief drive”Instructions have been given to officials to deploy all available resources. I am in constant contact with the local administration and am receiving minute-by-minute updates on the rescue operation,” he wrote.Police said a case has been registered and the exact cause will be determined after investigation.This is a developing story. Details to follow…
