Ground Cracks Threaten Lindoor Village: Urgent Action Needed..
KEYLONG: In the landlocked Lahaul-Spiti, Lindoor (Lintur)village has long been a haven for its resid
ents. However, recent developments have shattered this tranquility, as reports of ground cracks and subsidence spread fear throughout the community.
It all started in August 2023, after heavy monsoon rains lashed the region.
Terrified villagers witnessed the once-solid ground beneath their feet crack and crumble, leaving behind gaping crevices. Concerned by the escalating situation, they reached out to local officials, including the Minister of Horticulture, Himachal Pradesh, Jagat Negi and former MLA of Lahaul and Spiti district.
Responding swiftly, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) contacted the Geological Survey of India (GSI) on November 13, 2023, requesting urgent assistance.
And so, on November 17-19, 2023, a team from the GSI, led by Christy Tom and Siddhartha Jang Thapa, descended upon Lindoor village to assess the unfolding crisis.
What they found was deeply troubling.
Lindoor, perched precariously along the left bank of Jahlma Nala, a tributary of the Chandra Bhaga River, was facing an existential threat.
The once-stable terrain now bore deep scars, with ground cracks as wide as 1.5 meters snaking through the landscape.
The villagers, shaken by the unfolding disaster, recounted their harrowing experiences.
Dates etched in their memories – the heavy rains of August, the crackling of the earth beneath their feet, and the ominous rumble of landslides in the distance.
But it wasn't just nature at play here. The GSI team uncovered a troubling truth – rock blasting activities in October 2023, aimed at bringing water pipelines to the village, had only exacerbated the situation.
This man-made intervention had unwittingly hastened the village's descent into chaos.
Yet, amidst the despair, there was hope.
The GSI team proposed urgent measures to mitigate the crisis, including relocating homes away from danger zones, sealing cracks, and implementing real-time monitoring systems.
But time is of the essence. With the threat of more rains looming overhead, Lindoor village stands on the brink.
The fate of its residents hangs in the balance, as they await decisive action to safeguard their homes and their future.
Comments:
Today, I read the article on relocating Lindur Village. The issue began last year, highlighted by a local video shared in our senior retired officers’ group from Lahul Spiti.
This group, including IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS officers, doctors, and engineers, quickly took action, urging immediate relocation of villagers.
We suggested procuring prefabricated huts and contacted the district administration. Delays from IIT Mandi led us to involve Mr. Pangti, a former GSI Director, who sent senior experts. The situation remains critical, and we hope your report prompts action: BS RANA(IFS)
