Cloudburst destroys Kashang canal, halts irrigation in five villages of Kinnaur
Part of a series of cloudburst incidents between Aug 13 and Aug 15 — three in Himachal, one in Kishtwar, and now this in Kinnaur
Reckong Peo, Aug 15,
A late-night cloudburst on Thursday at Kashang, near the border of Pangi and Rarang in Kinnaur district, has caused extensive damage, completely destroying the Kashang irrigation canal and crippling the irrigation system for five villages.
The canal — considered the lifeline for farmers in Thopan, Swaden, Rarang, Khadra, and Akpa — was rendered inoperative, leaving agricultural and horticultural crops without water.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, a team from the Rarang Agriculture Development Association visited the site on Friday to assess the damage. The delegation later briefed Himachal Pradesh Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who assured that the damage would be assessed and compensation provided.
Association president Navratan Negi and general secretary Ringchen Bisht have urged the state government to immediately restore the canal so that the five affected villages can resume irrigation.
Notably, the first phase of the Kashang–Jangi irrigation canal stretches for 26 km, serving as a critical water source for local farming communities.
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