No imminent danger from artificial lake: Uttarakhand admin

There is no imminent danger from the artificial lake formed in the upper reaches of the Himalayas after the flash floods in Uttarakhand, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla was informed on Monday by a team of scientists and state administration. Bhalla held a review after Indian Navy conducted measurement of the artificial lake using a handheld echo sounder (depth measuring equipment), on Saturday.

The state authorities informed the home secretary that the volume of water is less than expected and is flowing through a natural channel which has been widened. Further, Bhalla directed that action be taken to allow more water flow and remove some obstructions which have formed at the site of the artificial lake. "Secretary DRDO and the state administration have been asked to keep a continued watch on the situation in coordination with central and state agencies, " according to a home ministry statement.

Earlier, a joint team of DRDO and ITBP, has concluded that neither a makeshift helipad nor a geo membrane can be installed to reduce the depth of the lake. The team visited the site and camped for almost 3 days before submitting their reports. According to ITBP, the flash flood deposition of approximately 500-550 metres is dangerous. Sun rays falling over this patch leads to melting of glacier ice mixed in the deposition and it starts getting slushy. Any person walking over it may sink.