Amir Karim Tantray & Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu/Kargil, May 7

An artificial lake created by a massive landslide on the Phuktal river, 90 km from Padam town in Zanskar subdivision of Kargil district, burst this morning triggering flash floods in the region. While no loss of human life was reported, the floodwater caused extensive damage to bridges and buildings.

The administration sounded a red alert in the area and shifted hundreds of people from sparsely populated 40 villages to safer places.

The 15 km-long lake — formed on December 15 after a massive landslide blocked the river — with 30 million cubic metres of accumulated water burst around 8 am.

People living in around 40 villages on the banks of the river were caught unawares by the gushing water.

At least 10 foot bridges, three motorable bridges, including one connecting Government Higher Secondary School, Zanskar, with Padum town, a school and several other buildings, were washed away. Many low-lying villages were inundated.

“The water level rose rapidly as floodwater covered a distance of 90 km (from the blockade site to Padum) in just four hours,” said a Zanskar resident. Around 11 am, the water level in the river stood at 2.48 m but the fast currents swept away the measuring system.

“The water level was around 20 feet, which is much higher for the river at this time of the year. I have received reports that it has started to come down,” said Hassan Khan, Kargil Deputy Commissioner, as he took a helicopter for an aerial survey of the area.