Ground caves in again in Mandi’s Dayod village; Locals blame NHAI tunnel work
Mandi, Nov 1,
A fresh case of land subsidence in Dayod village of Mandi district has once again thrown residents into panic, as a large portion of the ground suddenly caved in late Thursday night — marking the third such incident in the area since 2022. The massive crater that formed overnight has caused extensive damage to nearby houses, forcing several families to evacuate in haste.
According to local sources, deep cracks have appeared in the walls, ceilings, and floors of multiple homes, including that of villager Hardev Sharma, whose house has become unsafe for living. “We were forced to leave immediately. The entire structure is now split open,” said a visibly distressed Sharma.
Residents say the recurring ground collapses are linked to the ongoing tunnel construction by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) directly beneath the village. They allege that the continuous excavation work has weakened the underground strata, leading to repeated subsidence in the region.
“The administration and NHAI are aware of the problem, yet no permanent solution has been found,” said another local resident, adding that temporary measures like filling earlier craters have failed to prevent further damage.
The first major subsidence in Dayod was reported in 2022, followed by another in 2024 at a nearby site. Although the NHAI had then filled the depression to stabilize the surface, residents say the recent collapse has occurred beneath the same spot — indicating a deeper structural issue.
Villagers have demanded immediate relief assistance, compensation, and relocation to a safer area. “If timely preventive steps are not taken, this could turn into a major disaster,” warned locals.
District authorities have reportedly been informed, and a technical team is expected to visit the site to assess the extent of damage and the possible connection with ongoing tunnel works.
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