E-Paper
Alarm bells ring in Delhi, Shimla
Alarm bells have started ringing in decision-making circles in Delhi and Shimla with the latest Chinese reports saying that the lake formed by landslips in Tibet has started overflowing.
Alarm bells have started ringing in decision-making circles in Delhi and Shimla with the latest Chinese reports saying that the lake formed by landslips in Tibet has started overflowing. The reports also say that the rocks which had kept the water from flowing into India may give way anytime.
Compounding New Delhi's worries has been the Chinese helplessness in containing the release of water into the Sutlej basin through its tributaries, the Pareechoo and the Spiti. In fact, the missive from Beijing states that evacuation work has already begun in Tibet in view of the imminent bursting of the lake.
The information received from Beijing was discussed at a meeting of the Home Ministry's Disaster Management Cell here on Thursday night. According to the data shared by the Chinese, nearly 80 million cubic metre of water has collected in the lake.
Besides Home Ministry officials, the meeting was attended by representatives of the Central Water Commission and the Survey of India. Coordination between the Centre and Himachal is happening through the interface of the state chief secretary and the finance commissioner (revenue).
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson said that the lake in Tibet had not burst. "The water is discharging but, naturally, the condition is not stable," he said.
He said China had informed India that water from the artificial lake had been overflowing. "They (Chinese) pointed to the instability of the artificial dam and the potentially serious situation that prevails," he said.
About the reports that there had been an explosion at the lake site, he said there had been no confirmation "either way".
Detailing the steps taken by the government, he said IAF helicopters had been put on standby for any evacuation of people and for ferrying supplies.
"All the villages have been sensitised in advance and they have been advised to select places to which people can evacuate in case of flash floods and have been advised to move to the designated places," the spokesperson said. "An ITBP post has been set up at the point where the Pareechoo river enters Indian territory."
