The Uttarakhand Government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court in an affidavit that three villages on the rim of a lake formed as a result of Tehri dam construction needed to be shifted immediately as they faced a grave threat as the result of lying in a zone prone to landslides. The affidavit and a compliance report came in response to the court’s earlier orders.

After a second joint site inspection on 13-14 February 2008, an expert committee comprising officials from the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Tehri Hydroelectric Development Corporation (THDC), Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), departments of Forest and Disaster Management and the UK Government found “no immediate threat imminent as on date to human settlement in the Bhialangan valley”. But it issued a warning with regard to three villages — Rolakot, Nakot and Syansu in the Bhagirathi valley.

An earlier inspection by a GSI team had said “the villages of Rolakot, Nakot, Bhaldgaon, Myunda, Kansali and Barola are sensitive to landslides”.

Acting in compliance with the joint inspection recommendations, the state Government on its part informed the apex court that rehabilitation was being considered for which procurement of forest land was in progress. It further pointed out that “valuation of the properties of these three villages is also in progress”.

According to Bhuwan Chandra Deorari, Superintendent Engineer (rehabilitation), Tehri Dam Project, about Rs 43 crore has also been submitted to the THDC to release funds for the rehabilitation of the three villages.

After fears of landslides in villages situated close to the dam site were raised, the Supreme Court last year had asked the state Government to take safety measures in populated areas around the lake.