Monday, June 27 2005 09:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Shimla: A sudden rise in the water level river Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh yesterday (Jun 26, 2005) flooded large areas of Kinnaur and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh forcing evacuation of 5,000 people as the Army and Air Force stood by to meet any eventuality.

The spate in Sutlej, triggered a sharp rise in the water level of its tributary Parechhu originating in Tibet, washed away or damaged five bridges and submerged vast lands along the river bank with small habitations, including 50 houses in Rampur town.

Amidst apprehensions of a flash flood, the Centre held an emergency meeting of top officials in New Delhi to assess the situation and asked the Army and Air Force to undertake rescue and relief operations at short notice. At least 30 helicopters stood by at two air bases to meet any exigency.

However, reports reaching here late last night said the water level of Sutlej had been falling by five to seven feet hour but authorities were taking no chances and maintained a close vigil on the water level of the rivers.

A high alert was sounded by the state administration along the 200km stretch from Sumdoh in Kinnaur district to Mandi and Bilaspur as water level in Parechhu surged by 60 to 70 feet at 9am and the Army mess at Samdoh was submerged.

Duggal told reporters in Delhi that 5,000 people were evacuated from three villages along a 200-km stretch of Sutlej.

The 1500MW Nathpa-Jhakri hydel power project was shut down in the wake of the rise in Sutlej and two bridges of the project were washed away by gushing waters, which also entered 50 houses in Baroh.