Dharamshala: From July onwards, torrential rains in Himachal Pradesh have caused cloudbursts, destruction of property, and flooding of highways and roads in Kullu and Manali. The Kullu Tibetan settlements have been severely impacted by heavy downpours in recent months. Three of the six Tibetan settlements under the Kullu Palrabling settlement office’s jurisdiction—namely Manali Dekyiling, Dobhi Palrabling, and Kullu Yulokoe—were particularly affected.

On 26 August, the Fozal Nala and Beas River near the Dobhi Palrabling settlement overflowed, causing mudslides and debris to inundate around 45 Tibetan households and damage property. However, the Central Tibetan Administration’s construction of a new retaining wall and renovation of the existing retaining wall significantly contributed to ensuring resident safety, with no casualties reported. Following a red alert, the Settlement Office contacted the District Disaster Management Authority, which visited the settlement and directed the relocation of the public to safer locations, with settlement leaders and representatives prioritising the transfer of elderly and sick individuals first.

On 27 August, torrential rains in Manali caused sand, stones, water, and uprooted trees to fall and wash onto the roofs of several households in the Manali Dekyiling settlement, damaging private property. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The Kullu Tibetan Settlement Officer, Tenzin Tsultem, visited the affected areas, assessed the situation, and submitted a detailed verbal report to the Home Department and the Additional District Commissioner. A security retaining wall project has been approved for implementation after the monsoon season.

In the Kullu Yulokoe Tibetan settlement, the river overflowed into houses on the banks, causing minor damage to the existing retaining wall but no serious harm to people or property. Apart from the affected settlements, other settlements and institutions like monasteries and schools have not suffered significant damage.

The Home Department, CTA, has allocated four lakh in emergency relief funds to the Kullu Tibetan Settlement Office to address the immediate needs of the affected public and carry out relief measures. An appeal was made by the public to the Sikyong, CTA, during his second official visit to the Kullu settlement, to increase the height of the existing retaining wall.

-Report filed by Department of Home, CTA