Himachal Pradesh: Landslide forces evacuation of entire village in Mandi’s Tanipuri
Shimla, Aug 11,
A massive landslide in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district has forced the evacuation of all residents of Tanipari village of Jala Kasna,, with locals blaming road cuttings for the Kiratpur–Manali four-lane highway for the disaster.
The incident occurred above the Jhalogi Tunnel (PSS-9, T No 13) in Gram Panchayat Jala Kasna, where heavy slope movement has been reported for the past three days. Villagers say that ever since the straight cutting for the highway began, Tanipari, Shala Nal, Jala Nal, Tuhal and Thalout have been facing frequent landslides.
On Sunday, the situation turned critical as nearly nine houses came under the landslide’s impact. The entire village, including agricultural land, is reportedly sinking. Families have moved their belongings to an unused Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board building in the Board’s colony, which was opened on the orders of SDM Balichowki for temporary shelter. Some households have sent belongings to relatives, while arrangements for livestock and food are still awaited.
Residents allege that despite repeated appeals over several years, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the state government have neither provided compensation for losses nor arranged alternative land for affected families.
Local Panchayat Samiti member Shobha Ram Bhardwaj and villagers are leading the rescue and shifting efforts. Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, a regional advocacy group, has urged the NHAI, state government and district administration to take immediate action for relief and long-term rehabilitation.
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