Staff shifted after building develops cracks in Solan

Tribune News Service

Solan, August 12

A building housing the office of the Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD), developed cracks following heavy rain this morning.

After one floor of the building, having three rooms, was found to be unsafe for working, employees were shifted to the other floor on a temporary basis. The cracks were widening and more damage could occur to the building. The staff would be shifted to the division office of the department, as the building could suffer further damage in the rainy season, said an official.

The manner in which big cracks have appeared in the building, including the floor, points toward total damage. Though some repair work was undertaken earlier to plug the cracks, these failed to sustain and the structure now appeared to be ripping apart.

The building is situated right next to the skill development centre of the HP State Electricity Board, which also had suffered a damage last year in the rainy season owing to excavation activity near its base.

The seepage of water at the base appears to have weakened its foundation owing to which cracks are appearing on the floor and walls.