The water level of Tehri dam has now crossed Rl 816 metre due to which the Devisaud bridge in Chinyalisaud has gone under water and 42 villages in Dichli Gamari have once again been cut-off from other parts of the State. The people living in this region would remain insulated unless the administration takes action on time to restore the road-link.
The problems spawned by the Tehri dam reservoir overflow show no signs of being resolved.
In Uttarkashi district’s Dichli-Gamari patti region, about 42 villages get cut-off every year due to submergence of Devisaud bridge as no alternative bridge or route has come up. For the past six years, the submergence of the bridge, which connects over 42 villages in Chinyalisaud’s Dichli Gamri region, has remained a major problem for the people in the area.
Since 2006, following the submergence of the bridge in August-September, it is opened for traffic after the water recedes in February-March. Once the bridge gets submerged the people suffer from food scarcity as the supply stops. It becomes difficult too to get medicines for aliments. Teachers and students face the ordeal as it becomes difficult to reach schools.
This year, the people are trudging miles on foot by the detour in Dharasu. Some crossed the lake by boat. It involves risks as the boats ferrying them carry loads much beyond their capacity. The villagers said they are facing ‘kala pani’ like ordeal for months.