Water recedes from artificial lake, Nalagarh villagers heave sigh of relief

Villagers heaved a sigh of relief after water gradually receded from a nearly 60-feet artificial lake developed due to accumulation of water at Kumarhatti village on the Shimla- Kunihar Ramsheher- Nalagarh road last evening following incessant rain.

An alert had been sounded by the Nalagarh administration after a sizable quantity of water had accumulated following a heavy downpour in the area on Tuesday night.

With rain continuing to hit the area in the day yesterday, the administration was fearful that sudden water release from the spot could have triggered flooding in the adjacent area last evening.

This situation had arisen due to a major land subsidence spanning about 300 m which had also halted the movement of vehicular traffic as large quantity of muck and boulders had flowed down on the road. Motorists were forced to take a detour from Mittan- Metha- Gol Jamala-Nalagarh route to reach their destination. A temporary road, created after a similar disruption had taken place in the monsoon of 2023, had also eroded in the torrential rain, informed an official of the Public Works Department.

Residents of nearby villages of Kodi, Bansai, Radyali, Rajpura and Dhang Nichli of Gram Panchayat Koedi Barian had been directed not to venture near the Chikni khud and remain alert as a precaution after formation of the artificial lake last evening. The pradhan, ward members and panchayat secretary had been entrusted the task to create awareness while the locals were directed to contact the disaster helpline in case of any eventuality.

Residents, who spent sleepless night, were appalled to see water storming into their field, thus damaging their standing crops after the rains.

Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Nalagarh Rajkumar informed that water had started receding at Kumarhatti and the area no longer posed any threat. The PWD has been asked to clear the road of muck to facilitate proper seepage of water in the future.