Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand): Heavy rainfall in Nepal's Kalagad region led to a huge landslide causing a part of a hill to collapse and cascade into the Kali river. This resulted in obstructing the flow of the river and an artificial lake was thus formed. The Kali River is also known as Sharda River, along with the Mahakali River that originates at Kalapani in the Himalayas at an altitude of 3,600m in the Pithoragarh district. Now, this water body that has been formed poses a risk for people living in the low lying areas which include Dharchula and Jauljibi. Heavy rains on Monday had pounded the Indo-Nepal border regions.
Currently, the formation of the lake had led to the NHPC colony being waterlogged, where a dozen houses have been flooded with debris. BRO's crusher plant and some huts have also been waterlogged due to the rising water level of the Kali river. Meanwhile, efforts are on by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel to drain the floodwaters.
Read: Artificial lake formed in U'Khand's Murenda after flash floods
District Disaster Management Officer Bhupendra Singh said that the area where the lake has been newly formed will be surveyed by a team of geoscientists, and based on its report further action will be initiated. Regarding the rising water level of the Kali river, the administration and police teams have already alerted people to remain vigilant.
It may be recalled that a cloudburst had taken place in Jumma village of Dharchula in the early hours of Monday (August 30). Five bodies have been recovered so far and the search is on for the bodies of two others who are still missing. Along with SDRF, NDRF, SSB and administration, local people are also assisting the rescue mission.
