"An artificial channel was created through the huge landslide blocked river under Operation Phuktal today. Water finally started gushing across the landslide in an uninterrupted manner from the lake and averted a major tragedy", Public Relation Officer, Defence, Northern Command, Col S D Goswami said.
"The flow is currently being closely monitored. The successful completion of this operation is a testimony to the synergised efforts of the joint task force of Army, IAF and NDMA in conjunction with civil administration", he said.
The landslide had caused complete blockage of water in the river, resulting in accumulation of more than 30 million cubic meters of water and forming a 15 km long lake, along the river.
"It was feared that a sudden bursting of the landslide would cause unimaginable catastrophe, due to flooding in Zanskar river, leading to submersion of villages, loss of livelihood and damage to life and property", Col Goswami said.
"As many as 500 sorties of Army and Air Force helicopters ferried 38 tons of load over more than 300 hours, under extremely hazardous flying conditions, in support of the operation", he said.