MANDI, 24 June — An artificial lake formed near the Parchhu bridge in Dharampur subdivision of Mandi district has triggered concerns among residents of several downstream villages, after rising waters submerged a local temple, a cremation ground, and a Jal Shakti Department pump house.
The water accumulation, which took villagers and officials by surprise, is being attributed to the alleged illegal dumping of construction debris by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Locals claim that unchecked dumping in the region obstructed the natural flow of a stream, leading to the lake’s formation.
“This was a disaster waiting to happen. The authorities ignored repeated warnings from the locals,” said a resident from one of the affected villages, expressing frustration over what he called “criminal negligence.”
Officials from both Dharampur and Sarkaghat subdivisions, including Sub-Divisional Magistrate Joginder Patiyal, rushed to the site to assess the situation. Patiyal confirmed the formation of the lake but said there was no immediate danger to life or large-scale property.
“There is no need to panic. Our teams are working on a systematic plan to release the water and prevent any harm to downstream villages,” he said, adding that precautionary measures had been initiated.
Efforts are currently underway to regulate the water flow from the artificial lake to avoid flooding. Disaster management teams are on alert, and the situation is being closely monitored.
The incident has reignited concerns over the environmental impact of infrastructure projects in the region. Residents are demanding accountability and strict action against the agencies responsible for what they describe as reckless environmental damage.
With tempers running high in the affected areas, the incident has intensified calls for stronger regulatory oversight and stricter enforcement of environmental safeguards in government-led development projects.
