Now, breach in Shahsi lake poses threat to Kargil residents

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 11

After the bursting of artificial lake on the Phutkal river last week, fresh flashfloods hit the area causing extensive damage.

The fresh flashfloods occurred due to a breach in the Shahsi lake following the melting of snow.

The latest spate of floods led to huge damage in Hunderman Brok, Maal, Lankarchey Brok, Thang, Ichu-Shargandik, Kochik, Thulus and Pursa in Kargil district with irrigation canals, land, livestock, roads, trees, pashmina goat and other infrastructure in the area getting washed away

A Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) store has also been washed away in the Shargandik area.

The artificial lake on Phutkal burst on May 7 causing huge damage in the Zanskar sub-division of Kargil. Several bridges, buildings and fields got washed away.

Now, the threat arising from the breach in the Shahsi lake has created panic in the area. Though the current flash floods are of low intensity, there are apprehensions that if the situation is not addressed soon, it could turn into a disaster.

LAHDC, Kargil, councillor Zakir Hussain warned that if the leakage in the lake was not stopped in time, it could lead to another disaster in the region and repercussions could be much severe than that of the bursting of the artificial lake.

Acting Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Aga Syed Abbas Rizvi called a meeting of officers today and instructed them to address the issue on a war footing.

A team of officials led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Kargil, visited the lake site and assured the people of immediate solution.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Leh, Rigzin Spalbar today wrote to Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed seeking immediate compensation for the people hit by the floods caused due to the bursting of the artificial lake.

Spalbar asserted that the damage impact area was the most remote and destitute part in the whole of Ladakh region, where even basic facilities of 21st century India were yet to reach.

Due to snapping of surface communication, inhabitants are virtually cut off from the rest of the world, he stated.

Spalbar requested immediate release of Rs 5.8 crore for permanent restoration and Rs 43.9 lakh for temporary restoration of communication lines.