KL Report
SRINAGAR
On Thursday morning, an artificial lake formed on the River Phuktal in Kargil burst and triggered a flash flood in the area, which created panic in the area.
Some three bridges, scores of buildings and a school were damaged in the flash.
Sounding alarm in the area, the district authorities have asked villagers to move to safer places.
The sudden release of water has affected around 40 villages in Zanskar sub-division of Kargil.
To monitor the situation, the authorities are conducting an aerial survey of the area.
When contacted, Kargil Deputy Commissioner Hassan Khan said the water level is continuously rising. “In view of heavy flow, people have been asked to move to safer places,” he said.
Pertinently on December 31 last year, a massive landslide had blocked the Phuktal river, creating the artificial lake. After four months of eventful course, a 75-meter-long channel was created to drain out water from the artificial lake in a controlled manner.
DC Hassan said so far no loss of life has been reported. “But details are likely to emerge till evening after an aerial survey would complete,” he said.
