Sundernagar, August 9
In the wake of flash floods threat in the Sutlej river due to the formation of lake at Parchu in Tibet, the National Thermal Power Corporation, which is executing the 800 mw Kol Dam hydro project has started raising protection walls at the inlets and outlets of two diversion tunnels. If the water rose to the height of six metres above the level, it may enter the diversion tunnels.

According to Mr T.K. Chatterjee, General Manager, Kol dam hydro project, a control room has been set up which is functioning round the clock. All machinery and workmen have been shifted to safer locations.

To minimise the damage to two diversion tunnels the cost of which is 200 crores, protections wall have been raised.

In case the water enters the tunnels it will safely flow from the outlets as the tunnels were specifically designed for this purpose.

At present the water level at the inlet is 511 metres and if the water level go beyond the 517 metres it will enter in the inlet, but in order to minimise this flow a protection wall at the inlet has been raised.

Similarly the level of outlet tunnels has been kept at a low of nine metres.

It was informed that if the water flow would not damage the tunnels as its capacity is 13000 cusecs.

According to Mr P.S Soman, DGM, who is Chief of the Flood Rescue Committee formed by the Kol Dam Project authorities, the tunnels have been designed keeping in mind the flood history of last 200 years of the Sutlej river.

During 2000 when the Sutlej river was flooded the water level was 515.5 metres and the inlets of the two diversion tunnels are higher by 1.5 metres