Landslide blocks nullah flow in Manikaran valley, poses threat to village downstream
The flow of water in the Jeera Nullah was obstructed today following a landslide upstream of Tosh village in the Manikaran valley of the district. The massive landslide, which occurred a few kilometres upstream, impeded the water flow, posing grave risk to Tosh village and other habitations downstream. A 5 MW power project installed on the nullah upstream also became vulnerable in case the accumulated water makes its way suddenly through the landslide debris. The water reservoir formed due to the landslide has the potential to unleashing catastrophic flooding.
Kullu SDM Vikas Shukla said that a natural reservoir was formed due to the massive landslide. He added that he visited the spot with experts of the NHPC and the Public Works Department (PWD) along with relief and rescue teams. He added, “The landslide not only blocked the Jeera Nullah flow but also brought down a significant amount of debris, including large boulders and uprooted trees, complicating the situation.”
Meanwhile, the local authorities were quick to respond to the crisis and dispatched teams of engineers and geologists to assess the situation and devise a plan to remove the blockage. They instructed the Tosh panchayat president to immediately evacuate people living around the nullah to safe places so that any kind of untoward incident could be avoided. He said, “Tosh village does not face an immediate danger due to the formation of the reservoir, but residents living on the banks of the nullah have been instructed to move to safer places.” Public announcements were also being made in areas along the Parbati river, advising people to avoid going too close to it and vacate sites adjacent to it.
The SDM said that water breached the landslide debris in the afternoon and experts have advised that it be allowed to adopt its natural course. "The threat is been considerably reduced as water has started draining out through the debris. However, we are monitoring the situation. At present, there is no danger, but we are keeping a close eye on the situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents of Tosh village and habitations downstream are living in anxiety and uncertainty. Many villagers have left their homes and sough refuge in safer places. The fragile ecosystem of the Himalayas is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, which are becoming more common due to climate change and over exploitation of natural resources.
