A fierce thunderstorm struck Shimla on Thursday afternoon, bringing down a massive tree that crashed onto three vehicles and blocked part of National Highway-5 near the Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation office in the Tutikandi area. The sudden incident caused significant damage, traffic delays, and renewed public concern about the safety of trees in storm-prone zones.
Two of the vehicles, both owned by the power corporation one by a junior engineer and another by a staff member were severely damaged. A third, a taxi, suffered partial destruction. “Three vehicles were damaged when the tree fell near our office. The storm and rain were likely the cause,” said Harmanjeet Singh, an official from the Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation.
For Parasram Thakur, a local taxi driver, the incident came as a devastating blow. “My taxi was one of the three vehicles crushed. It’s a huge loss, especially during the peak tourism season,” he said, visibly shaken.
The forest department quickly responded to the emergency, clearing the fallen tree and restoring traffic flow. “There was a strong thunderstorm and rain overnight, likely causing the tree to fall. The road is now open, and we are assessing the extent of the damage,” confirmed Mohandas, a forest guard present at the site.
The uprooting has sparked fresh safety concerns among Shimla’s residents, particularly about old or unstable trees situated along busy roads and public areas. As extreme weather events grow more frequent in the region, many fear that such incidents could become more common and potentially deadlier.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for the region, warning of continued thunderstorms and urging residents to exercise caution, especially in landslide-prone areas.
Authorities have assured that damage assessments are underway and further preventive measures may be considered. But for those affected, like Thakur, the aftermath is not just about cleanup it’s about livelihoods and the growing cost of living under unpredictable skies.