“Fear and Uncertainty Grip Harsil: Locals Live in Shadow of Artificial Lake Threat”

A looming disaster hangs over the picturesque town of Harsil, Uttarakhand, where the creation of an artificial lake has sparked panic among local residents. For the last several nights, many families—old and young alike—have abandoned their homes to sleep in army camps, clinging to hope and safety as turbulent waters threaten to wash everything away.

Locals Speak Out: ‘We Live in Fear Every Night’

Residents recount sleepless nights, filled with anxiety and dread. “We don’t know if we’ll see the next morning,” confides one elderly resident, her home now perilously close to the swollen, redirected river. She points out her house, which barely survived the last surge, and the government hotel next door, both vulnerable if the artificial lake overflows.

“We are scared. The government has not sent anyone to check on us or warn us. No official has told us to evacuate, even though the danger is increasing,” she pleads. Despite repeated flooding and the clear presence of danger, families report that little to no help or communication has reached their neighborhoods.

Unpredictable River, Disrupted Lives

The residents describe a natural river, once flowing calmly along its usual path, now diverted and dangerously close to homes after the creation of the artificial lake. The erosion is eating away at roads, markets, and even the foundations of long-standing houses.

“Our house used to be safe, but now we can’t live there anymore,” laments another villager. “We sleep in army tents at night just to survive.” Elderly residents have never witnessed such a crisis in their lifetimes and call these last days their scariest ever.

Army Steps In, but Relief Remains Elusive

Locals are grateful for the army, who provides nightly shelter and ensures some level of safety, but worry that these are only temporary measures. “All we really want is to feel secure again in our own homes, not just relief supplies afterward,” a woman explains. “When disaster strikes, it is too late—what good will more relief do if our entire village is gone?”

A Plea for Immediate Action

Residents are left with no choice but to consider writing petitions to the authorities, admitting that they have little faith in any timely government response.

“This is the first time we are seeing such danger in our lives,” says an elderly woman. “We want authorities not just to promise help after something happens, but to give us immediate protection and safety before it’s too late.”

Eight Nights of Fear and Displacement

For eight long nights, villagers of Harsil have taken refuge in army camps, leaving behind not just their homes but also their sense of normalcy and security. The artificial lake—meant for development—has instead brought persistent fear to this Himalayan town.

As climate risks and development projects converge in vulnerable regions, the cries of Harsil’s citizens ring clear: proactive safety, not just post-disaster aid, is urgently needed.