Overview
- Two residential buildings and a hotel near Chalaunthi by Sanjauli developed wide cracks overnight, displacing about 40 people who were moved to safer locations.
- Authorities suspended tunnelling and blasting and restricted traffic on the Sanjauli–Dhalli bypass, with diversions causing heavy congestion across Shimla.
- Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh visited the site, ordered blasting to stop, and directed temporary lodging, food, and fair compensation for affected families.
- An SDM‑led committee and the state geologist are assessing structural damage and causes, with findings due within a week to inform relief and compensation.
- A December GSI report linked blasting vibrations and leaking pipelines to cavities in fragile phyllite rock; earlier actions revoked blasting permission and triggered a criminal negligence case, and the NGT has issued notices ahead of a Feb 9 hearing.