The Hindu : National : Dam unstable, says China

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 13, 2004

National

National

Dam unstable, says China

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI, AUG. 12. India said today that it was not aware of any "explosion" the Chinese might have conducted to breach an artificial lake created by landslips across the Pareechu river in Tibet. The brimming lake threatens to cause massive floods in downstream Himachal Pradesh.

"I have no information either way about the explosion," the External Affairs Ministry spokesman said when asked to confirm or deny reports that such a blast had been carried out. Separately, information made available by the Chinese Embassy has suggested that "measures" had been taken to deal with the Pareechu lake, but specific details were not immediately available.

`Water overflowing'

"What we've heard is that the dam has not burst," the Ministry spokesman said, referring to information received from the Chinese Government. "Water from the lake has been flowing over the dam," he told presspersons at a regular briefing.

The Chinese Government had, however, informed India that the "dam" was unstable. "The conditions are still not stable," he said. Asked if New Delhi was receiving sufficient cooperation from China, he said that "both sides have been in close touch."

Several contingency measures had been taken by the Himachal Pradesh Government. A chain of wireless sets had been put in place across the villages that might be affected.

These villages, the spokesman said, were along the Spiti river, downstream of Sumdo, and along the Sutlej, downstream of Khab. "The villagers in this area have been sensitised to evacuate to safer areas."

Copters kept ready

Helicopters of the Air Force were on stand-by and the State Government had made arrangements to stock essential supplies. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police had also set up a post at the point where the Pareechu waters enter India.

Asked why China had not yet permitted an Indian technical team to visit the artificial lake site, he said it was not a question of "distance" but of access. "The area is remote and difficult to reach," he said, adding that he was not really sure whether Chinese experts themselves had been able to reach the site.

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