Dam brims over, 4,000 evacuated in Himachal

The entire area along the banks of Sutlej and Spiti rivers in Himachal Pradesh was put on maximum alert today following a communication from the Centre that overflowing water from a lake had been released into Preechu river in Tibet, threatening flash floods.

The water was likely to reach Rampur on the Indo-Tibet border by the evening, Chief Minister Vir Bhadra Singh told reporters. The areas along the river banks from Sumdoh in Kinnaur and Koldam in Bilaspur have been put on maximum alert.

The communication from the Centre said water had been released into the river, Chief Secretary Kanwar Shamsher Singh said, adding that the entire state machinery and other agencies were fully prepared to face the situation.

About 4,000 people from all the 60 vulnerable villages have already been evacuated. Many people prefer to stay at home during the day time and shift to alternative accommodation only during the night.

There were reports that the lake had started overflowing since early this morning, but these could not be confirmed as the water level at Samdoh and Khaab did not show any significant increase, he said.

State agencies, Army and Indo-Tibet Border Police were closely monitoring the situation to assess the volume of water released from the lake.

There were reports that China conducted controlled blasts at the site of the lake, but there was no confirmation. Sources said either the blasts had not been conducted or these had failed, otherwise the water level would have risen significantly.

Earlier another report received by the state government had indicated that there might be some controlled activity at the lake and water may enter Indian territory in the next few hours, but the deadline passed without any development.

There was no fresh communication about the release of water and official agencies were trying to verify the earlier reports. Panic gripped people in Rampur, Brow, Neogali, Jagatkhana, Sunni and other areas as the news of release of water spread like wild fire.

An official release said people had been advised to remain vigilant and alert as chances of flood could not be ruled out. People had been asked to shift out of unsafe places and those who had already moved had been told to remain there.

The situation was reviewed by a high level committee headed by Chief Secretary S S Kanwar and all departments were directed to remain fully prepared with foolproof arrangements.

An official release here said "there are unconfirmed reports about controlled blasts in the lake on river Pareechu but flow of Spiti where the Tibetan river merges in it is normal.

Meanwhile, Indian Air Force helicopters were put on standby for evacuation of affected people in Himachal Pradesh in the event of flash floods.

"The dam has not burst. The water is discharging. But naturally the condition is not stable," External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here.

He said the Chinese side has informed New Delhi that water from the artificial dam has been flowing over it.

"They (Chinese) pointed to the instability of the artificial dam and the potentially serious situation that prevails".

On reports that there had been an explosion at the dam, he said there was no confirmation "either way". Detailing steps taken by the government, he said Indian Air Force helicopters had been put on standby for any evacuation of people and for ferrying supplies as may be required.

A chain of wireless sets have been set up along the villages on the banks of the Pareechu river, Spiti downstream, Sutlej downstream of Khad. These will help pass on warning signals of rising water levels.