Two days after the cloudburst at five locations in Pujaldi and Khuret caused severe damage in these areas of Tehri district, there has been little improvement in the condition with villagers forced to risk their life trying to cross the Henwal river. At the same time, the villagers are also concerned about their situation in the coming days because of the damage to irrigated lands and standing crops covered by debris.
Situated in Chamba block of Tehri district, Pujaldi and Khuret villages suffered the wrath of nature on Thursday evening with their farms, bridle paths, gharats (traditional water mill) and canals being washed away.The villagers now face a mountain of challenges. Due to flooding in the Henwal river, the nearby irrigated land is now buried under debris due to which the villagers are struggling to go carry on with their life. The villagers suffered loss of their standing crops of potato, bean, wheat and cauliflower which were ready for harvest but destroyed in the disaster. The flood also destroyed bridle paths in the area due to which the villagers now have to risk their life even from crossing the river. However, the children are forced by the situation to remain indoors and are not even able to attend school.
At the same time, the damage caused to water supply pipelines has created a drinking water problem for the villagers. Affected villagers, Jaikunwari Devi, Poonam Devi and Pramila Devi state that their sole means of livelihood- their farms, were washed away in the flood. They have demanded that the administration provide them compensation for the losses suffered without delay. The Tehri sub divisional magistrate said that a detailed report of the disaster affecting the rural area is being prepared after which the compensation amount will be distributed among the affected persons. Personnel of the department concerned have been sent for repairing the damaged water pipeline. locals state that they may face further danger in case the level of water in the Henwal river increases.