Shimla, June 28
The district administration has sounded a flood alert after a massive landslide blocked the Ravi at Holi, forming a 1.5 km-long lake in Chamba district.

According to information received here, the landslide occurred 300 metres upstream Holi last night as a result of which a lake, extending from Saren Nullah to Pangtooh, was formed. The Deputy Commissioner rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation and carry out remedial measures.

The areas downstream Holi up to the Chamera dam, along the 90-km stretch of the river, could face devastating floods if the blockage gives way. The administration has sounded an alert and asked people to take all precautionary measures until the blockage is cleared.

Efforts are being made to get machinery to remove the blockage from Jai Prakash Industries, which is executing the Chamera-II project downstream.

CHAMBA: A red alert had been sounded in the low-lying areas of the district and adjoining areas of Punjab following the formation of big lake due to the sliding of a huge mass of mountain into the Ravi.

Residents living in the low-lying areas on the basin of the Ravi have been advised not to graze their livestock on the banks as a precautionary measure.

On receiving information, the Deputy Commissioner of Chamba, Mr Rahul Anand, and the Superintendent of Police, Mr Ajay Yadav, along with a team of officers and doctors, rushed to the site to ascertain the situation and carry out rescue and relief operations.