Kullu, Himachal Pradesh (National Times): Panic and devastation have gripped Doghri-2 village under Gram Panchayat Mashna after a major fault in the DSL Hydro Power Project left the entire settlement unsafe.
The mishap occurred when the project’s head shaft collapsed and a pipeline burst, releasing a heavy flow of water and debris into the area. The force caused the ground to crack across large stretches, damaging fields and sweeping away apple orchards and Japanese fruit trees. Essential village infrastructure, including the drinking water storage tank and women’s washroom, has also been destroyed.
The scale of destruction has forced every family in the village to leave their homes. Residents are now taking shelter in neighboring areas, fearing further damage as water continues to gush out from the damaged system. With poles and thousands of tons of dumped soil adding to the instability, villagers warn that the danger is far from over.
Locals have placed the blame squarely on the hydro project authorities. Panchayat Pradhan Baldev said repeated appeals for maintenance and timely repair work had gone unheard for years. “Their indifference has finally resulted in this tragedy. The villagers have lost their livelihood, their homes, and their sense of security,” he said.
The affected community is now urging the district administration to intervene immediately, both to stabilize the site and to provide relief to displaced families. The fear of more soil erosion and water flow has left the region on high alert.
