Monsoon on, Lahaul-Spiti villagers living under threat of subsidence

Dipender Manta

Mandi, July 14

People living in Lindur village of Lahaul and Spiti district are facing the threat of land subsidence in the region during the ongoing monsoon season. Last year, the phenomenon had affected many villagers as cracks developed on their agricultural land and houses. These cracks have widened this year, thus, indicating that subsidence is still occurring in the area.

Admn taking remedial measures

• Villagers have expressed concern over the possibility of more structural damage if preventive steps are not taken in time.
• To mitigate potential risk, officials of the district administration and the Horticulture Department have taken remedial steps.
• The officials have arranged for the delivery of sprinkler pipes to Lindur village while the work to install a new tank to bolster local water infrastructure has been expedited
• Anticipating the worst-case scenario, four relief camps have been set up
• In case of an emergency, these camps are strategically positioned to accommodate villagers and provide them shelter and support

“We have been urging the state government to find a solution to protect the village from collapsing,” a local said. In order to safeguard the residents from potential calamities during the monsoon season, the district administration has put in place emergency relief measures in the village.

Last year, cracks, across the agricultural lands in the village, had perilously extended close to the residential areas, due to which several houses were affected. The villagers have expressed their concern over the possibility of more structural damage if adequate preventive steps are not taken in time. MLA Anuradha Rana took up the issue with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday last. Following this, the Chief Secretary instructed officials of the district administration to mobilise necessary resources. To mitigate the potential risk, officials of the district administration and the Horticulture Department have taken certain measures. They have arranged for the delivery of sprinkler pipes to the village while the work to install a new tank to bolster local water infrastructure has also been expedited. According to geological experts, villagers have been asked to avoid irrigation through ‘kuhals’ to check subsidence in their agricultural land.

Anticipating the worst-case scenario, four relief camps had been set up at Goharama panchayat, said Lahaul and Spiti Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar. He added that in case of an emergency, these camps were strategically positioned to accommodate villagers and provide them with essential shelter and support.

Rana said that comprehensive efforts were underway to alleviate the threat faced by the residents of Lindur village. The Deputy Commissioner said that last year, the affected villagers had received compensation ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.

“These measures in place, the administration will remain vigilant and ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to safeguard the lives and properties of people in Lindur village during the monsoon season,” he added.