‘Every monsoon feels like a warning’: Charlton Lodge residents await slope stabilisation after 2023 landslide

Nainital: Nearly three years after the devastating Sept 2023 landslide, families living in Charlton Lodge continue to face the looming threat of disaster, with the hillside still dangerously unstable as the monsoon season approaches.The landslide, triggered by intense rainfall, led to the collapse of a two-storey house and severely damaged British‑era retaining walls. More than 20 homes were evacuated overnight, leaving families displaced and traumatised. Today, locals say little has changed despite repeated assurances from authorities.“Every monsoon feels like a warning. We don’t sleep when it rains heavily,” said Ramesh Dhami, who lives close to the affected slope. Others echoed similar fears, noting that even light showers spark anxiety. Families often abandon their homes during heavy rainfall, disrupting daily life and children’s studies.Temporary measures such as geo‑bag walls and plastic sheets have failed repeatedly. Residents said the geo bags collapsed after a few installations, while the low‑quality tarpaulin sheets deteriorated within days. Poor drainage, identified as a key factor behind the landslide, remains unresolved.Residents say they have heard similar assurances that the stabilisation work will start soon and that the administration has sent a detailed project report (DPR) but no progress is seen. “Every year we are told the work will begin soon. But nothing has changed,” said Kailash Mishra, another resident.The disaster has also severely impacted local connectivity. A major pathway was destroyed, leaving only a fragile trail that residents fear could vanish with the next downpour. “Only a narrow path is left, if that goes, we will be completely cut off,” said Mamta Arya, highlighting difficulties in reaching schools, markets, and emergency services.Despite repeated inspections and warnings from geologists stressing the need for urgent and permanent slope treatment, authorities have so far relied on plastic sheets that continue to serve as the primary line of defence against rainwater infiltration. “We hear promises every year. But before every monsoon, nothing is complete,” said Mohit, another resident.Executive engineer of irrigation department, DK Singh told TOI that approval for slope stabilisation has been granted at the administrative level and it is now awaiting govt order. “The project, estimated at Rs 7 crore, has a DPR prepared by the Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre (ULMMC) and work will begin once the govt order is issued,” he said.