Mahandri residents flee as landslide, flood risks escalate

BALAKOT:

A flood-affected mountain in Mahandri has begun to slide, rendering several houses uninhabitable due to the appearance of cracks. Residents living atop the mountain have been forced to relocate, as the threat of further landslides looms.

The situation has also raised concerns about the potential formation of new lakes on the River Kunhar, prompting urgent calls from locals for government intervention.

Recent reports from Mahandri confirm that the flood surge in the Manor Nullah has severely impacted the area. The surge not only damaged the Mahandri market but also caused the River Kunhar market area to become blocked, effectively turning it into a lake. Despite ongoing efforts to remove the blockage over the past 17 days, it remains uncleared. The continued erosion of the riverbank has triggered landslides, placing the mountain settlement at significant risk.

As cracks have developed in several homes, residents have had no choice but to evacuate, leaving their now-unstable homes behind. The situation is becoming increasingly dire, with the potential for houses to be swept away and mountains to collapse into the River Kunhar.