4 days on, Sangla-Chitkul link yet to be restored

SHIMLA: Tribals of Batseri, Chitkul, Rakcham, hoteliers and camping site tourist operators have criticised the state disaster management authorities, the PWD and the Forest Department for their failure to raise proper crate walls and put in place conservation works to protect apple orchards, houses and tourism sites from recurring flash floods in the Kharogla and Azad Kashmir nullahs in the flood-battered Baspa valley in Kinnaur district over the years.

The flooded Kharogla Nullah in Kinnaur district. file photo

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 21

Tribals of Batseri, Chitkul, Rakcham, hoteliers and camping site tourist operators have criticised the state disaster management authorities, the PWD and the Forest Department for their failure to raise proper crate walls and put in place conservation works to protect apple orchards, houses and tourism sites from recurring flash floods in the Kharogla and Azad Kashmir nullahs in the flood-battered Baspa valley in Kinnaur district over the years.

“Had the authorities taken cognisance of the 2007 floods, 350 bighas of apple orchards and 20 ‘dogris’, washed away on July 17 would have been saved this time,” said Batseri tribals.

The flash flood in the Kharogla nullah, a right bank tributary of the Baspa that joins the Baspa about 3 km from Rakcham village, struck last Sunday. Apple orchards on more than 350 bighas have been washed away, destroying the source of livelihood of villagers and there is no help from the government, said Balbir Negi, a resident of Batseri.

“No lessons have been learnt by the disaster management, the PWD and the Forest Department from the 2007 flash floods in the Kharogla nullah, 1997 flash floods in Azad Kashmir village near Sangla,” said a hotelier from Sangla.

“The flash floods gave negative publicity that in turn has kept tourists off the valley even in the peak season. The PWD has deployed only one JCB and the Sangla-Chitkul road is yet to be restored,” he added.

No proper protection walls were raised to protect the apple orchards and ‘dogris’ of tribals of Batseri village,” said Batseri tribals.

The tribals have joined hands to raise walls to protect the village from the fast-flowing Baspa that has changed its course by 60 m towards the left bank cutting the sandy soil. Chitkul and Batseri have emerged as major camping sites for eco-tourists in the Baspa valley.

“The PWD is yet to restore the road to Chitkul, while the Bailey bridge has been rendered shaky by the recent flood,” said tourism operators from the valley.

The flash flood had pumped in massive quantity of debris, boulders and logs of uprooted trees. The flood plain of the Baspa had widened by three times, said the villagers.

Kinnaur legislator and Deputy Speaker Jagat Negi said the work on the restoration of the road was on.