Rain pain: Jal Shakti Dept faces Rs 10.5 cr loss in two districts

The Jal Shakti Department (JSD) has suffered a loss of crores due to intermittent rainfall over two days in Kangra and Chamba districts. According to reports, 52 drinking water schemes were affected, with damages amounting to Rs 6.5 crore in Kangra and Rs 4 crore in Chamba.

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Deepak Garg, Chief Engineer, JSD North Zone, said except for one scheme, all have been restored. The worst-hit areas were Multan and Loiale in Kangra, where the Uhal River washed away a pump house. Significant damage was also reported in Bharmaur and Tissa of Chamba. However, no major losses occurred in Nurpur and Dehra subdivisions.

The rains, despite causing destruction, have replenished water sources, increasing discharge levels by 25% after a prolonged dry spell.

In Dharamsala, heavy rains triggered a landslide near Meetha Nala on the Gamru-Mcleodganj route, damaging a sewage system and resulting in losses of ?25 lakh. Vimal Katoch, Xen JSD Dharamsala, confirmed that several scheme chambers were affected.

The most severe damage occurred in the Multan-Barot region due to a cloudburst and subsequent landslide. JSD employees have temporarily restored all schemes except one, ensuring functionality.