2023 disaster: GSI team to conduct study in Shimla

Geologists of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) will conduct a 60-day in-depth study of the natural disaster that occurred in the state’s capital last year due to torrential rainfall to assess the reasons behind the disaster.

The geologists will study the exact reason that led to the disaster which led to loss of life and property in the town and will prepare a report of the same. For this, the GSI teams will carry out several studies such as geo-physical surveys, soil testing, etc.

Besides providing the reasons, the geologists will suggest preventive measures regarding such calamities.

Jyoti Rana, Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Law and Order, said two geologists of the GSI had been handed over the task to conduct the study of the site of the disaster such as near the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS) and Shiv Bawri etc. She said the team of geologists had recently visited the town and would soon start their study.

Apart from this, Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) is conducting a drone-based Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) survey that started on October 21. The aim of this survey is to conduct a comprehensive study of landslides and land subsidence incidents in the town. The decision to conduct this survey was taken following recommendations from the GSI during a meeting that was held on September 7.

Earlier in August, a team of geologists and specialists was also called to restore the Boileauganj road in Shimla that was damaged due to two consecutive landslides.

In August, around 20 persons lost their lives after a temple of Lord Shiva had collapsed due to a landside that was triggered by torrential rain. This year too, the town suffered a loss of around Rs 5 crore during the monsoons.