Lahaul villagers demand steps to curb recurring flooding by nullah

Residents of Jahalma panchayat in Lahaul and Spiti district have urged the state government to initiate a joint inspection by a committee including members of the Central Government. The appeal was made following recurring flooding in the Jahalma nullah, which has been wreaking havoc on agricultural land and threatening the livelihoods of local farmers.

Agriculture land submerged

• Flooding from the Jahalma nullah has damaged agricultural land in the region
• Last year, the floodwaters from the nullah had raised the Chenab’s water level, submerging 40 bighas of horticulture land in five villages in Lahaul and Spiti district
• Rohit Kumar, vice-pradhan of Jahalma panchayat, says that despite some efforts to channelise the nullah last year, the flooding problem was persisting
• He points out that the glacier located above Lindur village is contributing to the flooding
• The Jahalma nullah is a tributary of the Chenab

Flooding in the Jahalma nullah has damaged agricultural land in the region during the past few years. Last year, the situation reached a critical point when floodwaters from the nullah raised the Chenab’s water level, submerging 40 bighas of horticulture land across five villages. The recurring flooding has caused extensive damage, leading to the loss of arable land and affecting the irrigation system for agriculture.

Rohit Kumar, vice-pradhan of Jahalma panchayat, highlighted the gravity of the situation. He stated that the residents of Haling, Fuda and Tadang under Jahalma panchayat, as well as Jasrath and Jobrang villages under Jasrath and Jobrang panchayats, are directly impacted by the flooding. Kumar said that despite some efforts to channelise the nullah last year, the flooding problem persists. It has, in fact, worsened during the current rainy season.

The flooding has not only submerged fields but has also led to significant infrastructure damage. Kumar pointed out that the glacier located above Lindur village is contributing to the flooding, resulting in the village experiencing heavy structural damage. Several houses in Lindur have developed large cracks due to the instability caused by the flooding.

The residents are alarmed by the recurring damage and are demanding a thorough investigation to find a permanent solution to the problem. Kumar emphasised the need for a comprehensive assessment by a specialised committee to address the causes of flooding and implement effective measures to protect agricultural land and local communities.

“We urge the state government to prioritise this issue and conduct a joint inspection with advanced technological support to develop a long-term strategy for flood management,” Kumar said. “If immediate and effective action is not taken, the situation could escalate into a major disaster, further displacing local farmers and damaging the region’s agriculture-based economy.”

The Jahalma nullah, a tributary of the Chenab, continues to pose a serious threat to the agricultural landscape and infrastructure of the region, necessitating urgent intervention and a sustainable solution to mitigate risks.