A four-storeyed building near Mohan Park, Chambaghat collapsed following heavy rain. However, no loss of life was reported though search operation is under way to find out if anybody had been trapped inside the debris.
The occupants of two flats were lucky as they were not in the building at the time of the mishap. The owners of the two flats reportedly do not stay here permanently.
The ownership of the building, according to preliminary inquires, is disputed. The police is, however, on the lookout for the contractor, Paras Kumar, who was untraceable after the mishap.
Officials of the HP State Electricity Board Limited, who are housed in the adjoining building, said a tree got uprooted and fell on the building and soon they heard a loud thud with smoke engulfing the area as the building had collapsed.
SDM Harbans Negi said rescue operations had been initiated soon after the incident and the fire brigade and ambulances had been kept ready to provide immediate medical help. He added that nobody had been traced till late in the evening and there was no information about any missing person.
Since labourers were engaged in construction activity, the possibility of some people having been buried under the debris could not be ruled out. Help from the Army was sought at around 6 pm to assist in the search operations. The Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police also visited the spot to take stock of the situation.
