Artificial lake formed on river near Dharamsala after landslides poses threat to habitations downstream

Lalit Mohan

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Dharamsala, August 6

An artificial lake was formed on Gajj river in Ghera area 5 km from Dharamsala threatening the habitations downstream the river.

Sources said the artificial lake was formed after landslides blocked the natural flow of the river yesterday.

Kewal Singh Pathania, general secretary of HPCC, visited the area. While talking to The Tribune he said people living downstream of Gajj river were living in panic.

The district administration and state government should take immediate measures to drain water out of artificial lake because in case the artificial dam breaches, it can cause damage to public and private properties. Thousands of cusec water has stored in artificial lake formed due to landslides, he said.

The deputy commissioner Kangra, Nipun Jindal when contacted said that a team of PWD officials has been sent to the spot to inspect the artificially formed lake in Gajj river. Though water was flowing through the lake efforts are being made to mechanically drain out the water from artificial lake, he said.

Gajj river has seen flash floods in the past. Last year, in monsoon the entire road that connected many villages in Kareri area near Dharamsala was washed away due to flash flood in the river. The villages were still not connected with road. The government was trying to develop alternative road to about 20 villages of Kareri area.

A power project on the river was also washed away a few years ago after flash flood in the river.

Sources said fearing breach in artificial lake many people have vacated their houses and commercial establishments on the banks of river Gajj in Chari area.

Gajj is a perennial river in Dharamsala region and many drinking water schemes in Dharamsala were also sourced from the river.

The deputy commissioner said there was no need to panic as experts were keeping watch on the artificially formed lake in Ghera area.