Monday, 03 July 2023 | PNS | BAGESHWAR
With torrential rain continuing to lash the entire Himalayan region and subsequent landslides happening in Kuwari village in Kapkot tehsil, the process of formation of a lake in Shambhu river, a tributary of Pindar, has gained further momentum. The administration has sounded alert on receiving the information of the formation of the lake in the river.
The lake was formed late last Friday following massive landslides with the debris falling straight in the Shambhu river. Due to the formation of the lake, the villagers living in the neighbourhood are feeling insecure.
Following the instructions of the district magistrate Anuradha Pal, the employees of the irrigation department have left for the spot. It is learnt from the administrative officers that the mouth of the lake would be opened only after they reach the spot.
Queried over the matter, the executive engineer of the district Irrigation department, Pan Singh Bisht said that a team of the departmental employees led by the junior engineer Tarun Lumiyal has been sent to address the looming threat of the lake formation.
Notably, landslides have been happening in Kunwari village since 2013 and the debris has been falling directly in the Shambhu river due to which a lake has been formed there. It is pertinent to mention that the same happened last year too.
Originating from Shambhu Bugyal located in Kapkot, the Shambhu river flows towards Chamoli from Kunwari village. Due to the 2013 disaster and subsequent massive landslides, a V-shaped lake was formed on the river. At that time, the length of the lake was said to be more than 500 metres. The lake has started to take shape again after debris from the mountains started falling and getting accumulated on the banks of the river.
Speaking on the matter, the gram pradhan of Kunwari, Dharma Devi said that at present there is no threat facing them from this process of lake formation. “But we are worried about the future of the village and also of the region. The people are feeling insecure as the scars created by the Kedarnath and Chamoli disasters are still fresh in their minds,” she added.
The Shambhu river originates from Bageshwar and joins the Pindar river in Chamoli district. Chamoli district starts just one kilometre ahead of where the lake is being formed. The locals say that if this lake breaks, Armal, Tharali and Narayanbagad areas of Chamoli district will be the most affected areas.
