Sun Mar 30 22:11:30 UTC 2025: **Himachal Pradesh Storm Kills Six, Injures Several**
Shimla, March 31, 2025 – Six people, including four tourists, died and several others were injured when a large tree fell on vehicles in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district on Sunday. The incident occurred near Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib after a severe storm uprooted the tree.
Among the deceased are Reena (Jammu and Kashmir resident working in Manikaran), Sameer (Nepalese national working in Manali), and four tourists: Varsini (Bangalore), and three students from Haryana’s School of Regional Marketing – Dhinta, Manish, and Gulshan. The injured, including a family from Bangalore and another from Haryana and Assam, have been hospitalized and are reported to be out of danger.
Kullu Sub Divisional Magistrate Vikas Shukla confirmed that rescue and relief operations are underway, with medical teams, police, and revenue officials on the scene. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur expressed their condolences.
One witness, Vikram Aacharya from Assam, described the incident as sudden and swift, occurring around 4:30 PM while he waited with his family for transportation. Social media videos suggest a delay in initial emergency response. The Chief Minister has directed the district administration to provide full assistance to the victims and their families, ensuring the best possible medical care for the injured.
First Piper 