M A I N   N E W S

Avalanche blocks Sutlej, flood alert sounded
Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 3
A flood alert has been sounded in over two dozen townships and villages along the 250 km stretch of Sutlej from Pooh to Bilaspur following blockage of the river due to a big avalanche near Tinku nallah in Kinnaur yesterday.

Latest reports from the Kinnaur which has been cut off due to heavy snow, indicate that the virtual “mountain of snow” brought down by the avalanche had created a kilometre-long lake on the river. The river-level at the point of blockade had risen to 105 ft. The only redeeming feature was that the level had stabilised and the water of the river was now flowing over the natural snow dam”. The telecom link to the Kinnaur valley has been snapped and the situation is being monitored from here through police wireless network. The Deputy Commissioners of Shimla, Mandi and Bilaspur, besides Kinnaur, through which the river passes, are keeping a close watch on the river.

Mr P.C. Katoch, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, said the site of avalanche was inaccessible as the steep hills on both sides of the river was covered by four to five feet of snow. The administration has contacted the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment of the Army at Manali to find a solution to the problem.

The administration fears that in case the “snow dam” gives way due to pressure being created by the lake, it could cause flashfloods in the towns and villages located, along with banks downhill. The people had experienced the wrath of the river on July 31, 2000, when about 150 persons died in flashfloods.