Geological survey begins in landslide-ravaged Kullu area

A two-member team from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) today launched a preliminary post-disaster assessment in the inner Akhara Bazar area of Kullu town, the site of two devastating landslides that claimed nine lives and left three injured.

Disaster had struck the area on September 2 night and September 4 morning, leaving behind a trail of destruction and severely damaged homes.

The scientific investigation unfolds amid mounting frustration from local residents. Approximately 1,000 people residing in 250 homes in the inner Akhara Bazar now find themselves in a precarious situation. A delegation of residents met with the Kullu Deputy Commissioner, attributing the disaster to human negligence.

Their concerns centre around inadequate drainage and sewerage infrastructure, compounded by unchecked construction activity in the Math region overlooking their neighbourhood. These factors, they say, have dangerously amplified their exposure to geological hazards.

The Kullu incident is not an isolated case, but part of a troubling trend across the state. Similar reports from districts like Kinnaur, Chamba, Shimla and Dharamsala paint a consistent picture — of unplanned development, illegal construction on fragile slopes and poor water management. These issues are repeatedly cited as root cause of recurring landslides.

The two GSI scientists clarified that their current visit aims to recommend urgent remedial measures. They will also survey landslide-prone zones in a 20-km radius of Kullu town. A more comprehensive study, however, hinges on the government compiling a statewide list of affected and high-risk sites.