Manali: A massive landslide near
Junda village
of Himachal’s Lahaul-Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh on Friday has blocked the flow of
Chenab
river.
The water has entered four houses and the families have been shifted to safer places. Some cowsheds and cattle have also been moved to safer areas. Some villages, including
Jasrath
, are under threat.
Although some water is now flowing out of the dam from one corner, there is danger of bursting of the dam.
As precautionary measures, all the villages along Chenab are on alert and people have been evacuated from the low lying areas of nearby villages.
Lahaul-Spiti SP Manav Verma
said, “Taking precautionary measures, all the downstream villages have been evacuated. The river water is now flowing over the debris. The situation is under control.”
This is for the first time that a landslide has blocked flow of Chenab river.
Earlier, massive avalanches had blocked the flow of Chenab.
A few decades back, when Chenab was blocked for almost a full day following snow avalanche, it had wreaked havoc in downstream as bursting of the dam had damaged many bridges, washed away roads and agricultural lands.
Now people are building houses close to the river so bursting of the dam will cause larger damage than the past.
Tribal development minister
Ram Lal Markanda
said, “I’m going to meet chief minister to share information with him. The landslide has blocked the flow of the Chenab river. However, now water has made its way through the debris. Hopefully, there will be no damage and situation will be normal. The entire area along the river is put on alert.”