Lack of drainage system cause of landslides in Kullu’s Math area

Officials of the Jal Shakti Department and the Municipal Council and local residents conducted a joint survey of the Math area in Kullu district today. It was revealed during the survey that the Math area lacked adequate drainage facilities. In the absence of proper drainage, rainwater from many houses was being discharged directly into sewerage chambers. This practice has led to frequent overflows during rainfall, causing seepage in hillsides and destabilising slopes above the Inner Akhara Bazaar area. Government officials and local residents feared that continuous seepage was the major reason behind recurring landslides.

The local residents expressed concern that precious little had been done to address the root cause of the landslides in the Math area despite the tragedy occurring three months ago. Two landslides in the Inner Akhara Bazaar had claimed 10 lives and destroyed more than 10 houses three months ago. Since then, nearly 1,000 residents living in about 200 houses had been living in constant fear, especially with rain expected during the winter.

Kullu Jal Shakti Department SDO Ankit Bisht said that the department had prepared a list of defaulters, who were diverting rooftop rainwater into sewerage chambers. He warned that notices would be issued to the violators and, if they failed to comply with the directions, their water and electricity connections would be snapped.

Junior Engineer, Municipal Council, Sachin said that a proper drainage plan had been prepared and funds allocated for the purpose. However, objections from some residents regarding the alignment of the proposed drainage stalled the project. Local residents Rajeev, Sanjeev and Lucky demanded strict administrative orders and adequate police protection so that municipal workers could safely execute the drainage project. They emphasised that faulty drainage was the primary cause of seepage, leading to repeated landslides.

Another resident Rajan pointed towards unchecked construction in the Math area and said that the number of houses had increased nearly tenfold in the past decade, far beyond the carrying capacity of the terrains. He urged the government to declare the area a green zone and order an immediate halt to all new construction. The residents asked the officials how building approvals were granted despite the absence of a proper drainage system. The municipal officials said that the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department had authorised architects to approve building plans, which were later submitted to the MC, resulting in several structures had technical flaws.

Vivek Sood, on behalf of the residents, said that accountability and transparency must be built into the repair process. He added that tenders for sewerage and drainage repairs should clearly mention the specific norms and these must be made public so that the residents know what standards were expected. He insisted that contractors must be held liable for any faults or failures after the completion of the work. Sood also called for a committee of residents to be empowered to monitor construction work, preventing substandard practices and guaranteeing that quality was maintained.

After the survey, local residents reiterated their demand for immediate removal of landslide debris and the restoration of damaged houses.