India, Nepal agree to jointly remove debris from Kali river bed
India, Nepal agree to jointly remove debris from Kali river bed
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Dec 27
Indian and Nepalese officials have agreed to remove debris that has been deposited at the Kali river bed after Nepal constructed a protection wall on their own side of the river some time ago, which diverted the flow of water towards Indian side making officers colony of Dhauliganga prone to the risk of landsliding. River Kali forms the border between India and Nepal in Pithoragarh district.
” Due to construction of security wall by Nepalese officials on their side, the debris deposited in the river bed has diverted the flow of the river towards Indian side. We have taken up the issue with the Nepalese officials and reached on an agreement to remove the debris jointly,” said Manjit Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Dharchula
According to the SDM, the natural flow of the river will be established after removing the debris.”From our side National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC), will remove the debris deposited on our side while water department of Nepal will remove debris deposited on their side of the river,” said SDM
According to local residents, when the Indian authorities tried to remove debris after Nepal constructed a protection wall, the Nepalese miscreants threw stones on them resulting into stoppage of the work.
M Kannan, General Manager of Dhauliganga power station has said that besides removing the debris deposited on the Indian side, the NHPC, will also revitalize hot water source at Tapovan that has been covered under debris due to high water flow towards Indian side.” After removing the debris, we will also construct a protection wall on our side to protect our side from further landslides in the next monsoon,” said the NHPC officer.
According to Dhauliganga power station General Manager, Nepal has started making protection wall after 2013 disaster and attempt to construct it every year as it washes away in monsoon.” Every time it diverts the river flow towards our side making our officers colony at Tapovan sensitive to landslides,” said the NHPC officer.
