Flashflood cut off Chitkul area in Kinnaur

Rampur (HP), Jan 2 (UNI) The Chitkul area of tribal Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh was cut off from rest of the country as the vital bridge linking Chitkul and Sangla valley was washed away in flashflood in Sushang Khud, about 110-km from here this morning.

According reports reaching here, the water in the Khud suddenly surged to nine feet from one foot, washing away the bridge.

There was no loss of life but loss of property was estimated around Rs two lakh, Sangla Tehsildar Prem Singh Dulta said.

The cause of the flashflood which occured despite clear weather in the area, will be investigated.

Meanwhile, intense cold wave conditions prevailed in mid and higher hills of the state.

All natural lakes, including the Suraj Tal, Chander Tal and Nako lakes, springs and large stretch of Chandrabhaga river in Spiti valley were frozen for past three weeks, resulting in sharp fall in discharge of water in snowfed Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers. The reduction in discharge of water in the major rivers had reduced power generation in hydro power projects to 15 per cent.

The generation in the country's largest Nathpa-Jhakri hydro power project (1500 MW) has come down to eight million units from normal generation of 36 million units.

UNI