Operation Phutkal subsides threat of river blockade in Ladakh

The threat of sudden bursting of an artificial lake made by month-long blockade on a river in Zanskar valley of Ladakh region has subsided today, after the flood water streamed down a channel created under 'Operation Phuktal' by the Army.
"An artificial channel was created through the huge landslide blocked river under Operation Phuktal today. Water finally started gushing across the landslide in an uninterrupted manner from the lake and averted a major tragedy", Public Relation Officer, Defence, Northern Command, Col S D Goswami said.
"The flow is currently being closely monitored. The successful completion of this operation is a testimony to the synergised efforts of the joint task force of Army, IAF and NDMA in conjunction with civil administration", he said.

A crisis loomed large over the far flung Zanskar valley in the lap of high mountains in the Kargil district of Ladakh region in J&K due to a massive landslide that had occurred at 13,000 feet altitude, over a major dis tributary of Zanskar river, located 100 km east of Padam in January this year.
The landslide had caused complete blockage of water in the river, resulting in accumulation of more than 30 million cubic meters of water and forming a 15 km long lake, along the river.
"It was feared that a sudden bursting of the landslide would cause unimaginable catastrophe, due to flooding in Zanskar river, leading to submersion of villages, loss of livelihood and damage to life and property", Col Goswami said.

Army launched 'Operation Phuktal' in this direction and with the area being cut off during winter months, the entire operation had to be maintained by air.
"As many as 500 sorties of Army and Air Force helicopters ferried 38 tons of load over more than 300 hours, under extremely hazardous flying conditions, in support of the operation", he said.