Kullu Manali, Himachal Pradesh: Home Kalon Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) visited the flood affected areas in Kullu Manali regions in Himachal Pradesh on 26th and 27th September. Additional Secretary Tsewang Gyalpo Arya accompanied the Kalon.
Kullu Manali experienced incessant rainfall earlier this week which resulted into flash flood in several areas and washed away lands and roads, damaging bridges and houses. Fortunately, no loss of life was reported.
There are some 1800 Tibetans spread in Manali, 15 Miles, Patlikhul, Dobhi and Kullu, among which 15 Miles, Dobhi Palrabling settlement and Kullu Youlokoe settlement areas have been affected greatly. It has been reported that in 15 Mile area, the flood water reached the housing areas. Housings along the river banks were washed away. As per the report, there are thirteen families living in the area.
However, the most affected area is the main Tibetan settlement Palrabling in Dobhi, housing seventy one families with two hundred and sixteen residents. Tibetan settlement office is also in the area. The settlement found itself trapped in between two floods originating from the Nala River at the other side of the Beas River. The main road to the settlement has been badly damaged and the area is still submerged.
Home Kalon Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang addressing the public grievances of the flood victims.
It is reported that mainly the houses on the ground floor are affected. Sand and mud have occupied almost thirty houses and blocked the toilets and sewages. Apple orchards around the settlement are all destroyed and full of debris. The residents under the supervision of the Settlement officer vacated the settlement and took shelter at the field nearby. Food and water provisions were made at the shelter by Tibetan settlement office under Home department’s instruction.
In Kullu area, water coming from the Kullu valley hit the check dam near the settlement and nearly washed away some of the houses along the river. It was reported that local Indian greatly helped in evacuating and accommodating the Tibetans. Despite the road block, Kalon, Additional Secretary and the Settlement officer visited Dekyiling settlement in Manali to assess the damage.
Kalon Sonam Topgyal met the residents at Dobhi, 15 Miles from Kullu. He expressed solidarity with the residents and informed them that Kashag has been in close touch with the Settlement officer monitoring the flood situation. He announced emergency relief of one million Rupees, and urged the people not to worry and to concentrate their effort in the reconstruction work and clearing the debris.
The residents thanked and expressed their gratitude to the Kalon and the Additional Secretary for coming all the way from Dharamshala in spite of the ongoing Parliament session. They requested help in reconstruction and putting the damaged infrastructures back in order, and putting RCC check dam. Some residents requested for relocation from the settlement. Kalon assured the residents that the Tibetan Administration shall do its best to help them and effort is already underway to raise fund both locally and internationally.
Kalon Khorlatsang and Additional Secretary T.G. Arya left Kullu on 28 September, 2018.
– Report filed by Palrabling Tibetan Settlement office, Kullu Manali, H.P.