Landslide renders Mandi village unsafe, 14 families relocated

Kalang village in Segli panchayat of Mandi district is on the brink of collapse due to a massive landslide that has rendered the area highly unsafe for habitation. A land stretch of nearly one kilometre is sinking and around 60 bighas of agricultural land has already destroyed, raising serious concerns about the villagers’ safety and livelihood.

According to Chhape Ram, vice-pradhan of Segli panchayat, the situation deteriorated rapidly in the past few days. “Officials of various departments visited the site and confirmed that the area is no longer safe for living,” he said. In response, the local administration took swift preventive action by relocating 14 affected families to a nearby safer location, he added.

The monsoonal rain has intensified the crisis, causing continuous ground movement and increasing the risk of further damage. Residents reported loud cracking sounds and visible subsidence near the village, causing fear and panic in the community.

The Mandi district administration, under the supervision of Additional District Magistrate Madan Kumar, took immediate protective measures and provided 17 temporary tents for the relocated families. These tents serve as provisional shelters while the district authorities assess long-term rehabilitation plans.

In addition, a budget of Rs 78.75 lakh has been approved for debris removal and restoration work in various disaster-affected regions. Of this, Rs 39 lakh has been disbursed to the Sub-Divisional Magistrates concerned for urgent operations and Rs 18.59 lakh has been sanctioned to the Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Janjehli, for the construction of three wire crate walls in the gram panchayats of Murhag and Jainasla in Thunag.

Officials have warned that Kalang village is no longer viable for safe habitation, as continuous rainfall is expected to worsen the already fragile terrain. Meanwhile, the administration is continuously monitoring the situation and is working to provide relief and rehabilitation to the affected families.

Himachal Tribune