Rail traffic stopped after slope failure; engineering teams estimate hours for restoration
Train services on the Kalka–Shimla railway were interrupted on Tuesday afternoon after a landslide struck the section between Gumman and Koti stations, railway authorities said. The incident occurred at kilometre 11/7-8 at about 3:15 pm, resulting in the short-termination of Train No. 52458 and the cancellation of two other services.
Train No. 52458, bound for Koti, reached the station at around 3:28 pm and was short-terminated because of debris on the track, according to an official railway communication dated August 18. Railway engineering teams assessed the situation and estimated that clearance and restoration work would take approximately four to five hours.
As a consequence of the obstruction, Train No. 52454, scheduled to depart Shimla at 5:45 pm, and Train No. 52456, scheduled for 6:40 pm, were cancelled between Shimla and Kalka on August 18. The communication said that following restoration of the track, affected services would resume operations from Shimla towards Kalka.
Monsoon conditions compound operational challenges
Shimla was shrouded in a layer of fog as persistent monsoon rainfall continued to affect large parts of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday. State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) figures released the same evening indicated that the state had recorded 197 deaths during the monsoon disaster period that began on June 30. Of these, 81 fatalities were directly attributed to rain‑triggered disasters, while 116 resulted from road accidents, the SEOC data showed.
Authorities reported cumulative losses of over ₹1,000 crore amid the prolonged heavy rainfall. As of 5 pm, 88 roads remained blocked across the state, though this was an improvement from 105 closures earlier in the day. Districts most affected included Mandi with 32 roads closed, Kullu with 25, and Sirmaur with 10, the SEOC information stated.
- Immediate impact: One train short-terminated; two trains cancelled (52454, 52456).
- Restoration estimate: Engineering teams estimated 4–5 hours for track clearance at km 11/7-8.
- Statewide context: 197 fatalities and more than ₹1,000 crore in cumulative losses during the monsoon period to date.
"Restoration of the track would take around four to five hours," the railway communication said.
Local consequences and ongoing response
The Kalka–Shimla line is a key rail link for residents and visitors to Shimla; any interruption affects commuter travel, tourism and the movement of essential goods. Railway and engineering crews were deployed to remove the obstruction and restore normal movement on the heritage route, the communication added. Given the prevailing fog and ongoing rains, operations were likely to proceed with caution to ensure worker safety.
State agencies have been conducting restoration work across affected districts. The SEOC data indicate a dynamic situation with road clearances improving during the day, but a significant number of routes remained impassable, complicating relief, repair and reconstruction efforts.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location of landslide | km 11/7-8 (between Gumman and Koti) |
| Time reported | ~3:15 pm (landslide); 3:28 pm (Train 52458 reached Koti) |
| Immediate train impact | One short-terminated (52458); two cancelled (52454, 52456) |
| Estimated clearance | 4–5 hours (Engineering Department) |
Officials urged travellers to check the latest railway bulletins for updates. With the monsoon still active across the region, further incidents of slope failure, road closures and travel disruption remain possible until weather conditions stabilise.
