Shimla, July 12 -- A major landslide struck the Bothwell area near Sanjauli College early on Saturday morning, triggering panic and leaving several homes in imminent danger. While no casualties have been reported, the collapse of a critical retaining wall beneath the road has cut off access pathways and left several multi-storeyed buildings structurally compromised. Police said residents were advised to evacuate the buildings immediately after the landslide around 4am. A similar landslide occurred at the same location on June 28, 2025, which trapped several women and children under debris. Local residents allege that the disaster was caused by private construction on the hillside, which involved extensive excavation. They claim the work continued despite a strict Municipal Corporation ban on hill cutting during the monsoon. Continuous rainfall subsequently weakened the exposed slope. Rahul, a local bakery owner whose family has been stranded on the road since 3.30am after witnessing the hill give way, said that 10 to 15 families are now at risk. "The foundation of our house has become extremely weak and the building can collapse at any time. We want an immediate retaining wall and temporary protection through tarpaulin covering. We informed officials in the morning, but no work has started yet," he said around noon. Defending the project, construction site owner Naresh Zinta denied carrying out any active work for the past month. He instead blamed waterlogging caused by uncleaned civic drains, which diverted the entire hillside's rainwater into his excavated plot.htc...