Dehradun: As monsoon sets to hit Uttarakhand in the coming few days, the remote village of Sri Lanka Tapu, located in Nainital district’s Bindukhatta area, is preparing for three months of complete isolation.
Every year, 115 families residing in this unique settlement find themselves cut off from the mainland, battling flooding, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to essential services.
Stockpiling for survival
With rising waters making travel impossible, residents have begun stockpiling food and supplies to sustain themselves through the monsoon. A local resident explained, “We have to ensure we have enough to last us through the entire monsoon.” The Gaula River, which surrounds the village on three sides, becomes dangerously swollen, making crossing impossible. The fourth side is dense forest, further isolating the community.
Government steps in
Recognizing the annual crisis, Haldwani Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rekha Kohli visited the village, accompanied by departmental officials. Acting on her directives, the food supply inspector distributed rations to last until August, while the health department provided a three-month supply of life-saving medicines. SDM Kohli stated, “We have ensured residents receive crucial supplies to sustain them through the monsoon, including rations and medicines.”
New helipad offers hope
In a major development, a helipad has been constructed in Sri Lanka Tapu, offering a lifeline for medical emergencies. Officials confirm that this facility will enable timely evacuations, ensuring residents receive urgent medical care when needed.
A village forgotten by development
Despite state-wide infrastructure projects, Sri Lanka Tapu remains largely neglected. The population of 356 people, including 200 registered voters, struggles with basic amenities. Residents must cross knee-to-waist deep water in the Gaula River to access schools, hospitals, and polling stations. Wild animals have devastated local farming, further worsening economic conditions.
The story behind the name
Originally known as Khuriya Khatta, the village was split in two after the 1985 Gaula River floods. The isolated portion was nicknamed ‘Sri Lanka Island’ by journalists who, during an aerial survey, noticed its striking resemblance to the island nation. Residents have been demanding embankments for eight years, but no action has been taken. Electricity remains unreliable, and healthcare facilities are nonexistent.
Dharam Singh, a local, lamented, “We have to travel 3 to 10 kilometers for health and education. The Gaula River keeps eroding our land, yet no embankments have been built.” As Sri Lanka Tapu braces for another monsoon, residents hope for lasting solutions. While government aid provides temporary relief, the village’s isolation remains a pressing issue, demanding urgent infrastructure improvements.
