Landslide Buries Three Homes in Ropar, Injuring Three Children

Loose soil from a nearby hill collapsed on March 3, 2024, burying three houses in Bunga Sahib village, located in the Ropar district of India. The incident, which took place approximately 300 metres from the Kiratpur–Chandigarh highway, resulted in injuries to three children. Fortunately, all victims sustained only minor injuries, and no fatalities were reported.

The injured children include two boys, aged three and five, and a 13-year-old girl. Following the incident, local authorities promptly responded. According to Jaspreet Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Ropar, the affected families, which include a total of eight children, have been relocated to a relief camp at Qila Anandgarh. This precautionary measure was taken due to the ongoing risk of further soil slippage in the area.

Concerns were raised regarding the legality of the houses affected by the landslide. Reports indicate that these homes were built on land designated for the forest department, in violation of established regulations. Local resident Gaurav attributed the landslide to ongoing issues with the Nangal Hydel Canal (NHC). He stated that the canal had not undergone proper maintenance since it began operation, leading to long-standing leakages. Gaurav warned that the heavy discharge of water this season had compromised vulnerable points in the canal, increasing the risk of further incidents.

In a separate incident in Sarala Kalan village, located in the nearby Patiala district, the roof of a home collapsed due to continuous rainfall over several days. The collapse resulted in significant damage to household belongings. The head of the family, who relies on daily labour for income in nearby Ambala, expressed relief that no one was inside the house at the time, noting that the situation could have been fatal.

These incidents highlight ongoing concerns regarding infrastructure safety and regulatory compliance in the region. Authorities are expected to investigate further to prevent similar occurrences in the future.