DHEMAJI, Oct 19 - The East Siang district administration in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday issued an alert for an unprecedented flash flood. The alert was sounded following the formation of an artificial lake on the Yarlung Tsangpo in China on Wednesday after a cliff fell on a section of the river, the information of which was shared by Beijing with the Central Water Commission of India.
The water level in the Siang river has reduced due to the landslide blocking the flow of water, triggering fear of flash floods in the downstream Arunachal and upper Assam.
Following the report, Tamiyo Tatak, District Magistrate of East Siang, has issued an executive order and cautioned local people not to venture into the Siang and its peripheral areas for collecting driftwood, fishing or swimming, apprehending a sudden flash flood in the downstream areas in case the lake bursts and releases the vast quantity of accumulated water.
People living in low lying areas like Jarku, Paglek, SS Mission, Jarkong, Banskota, Berung, Jampani, Sigar, Ralling, Borguli, Seram, Kongkul, Namsing, Mer, Gadum, etc. are asked to remain alert but without panic for any eventuality that may happen due to above reasons.
The Dhemaji district administration, following the Central Water Commission�s report, has alerted the villagers. �If the lake breaches, there may be a temporary rise in the water level in Dhemaji district. Hence, the people living in the riverine areas are advised not to venture into the Brahmaputra for fishing, swimming and collection of timbers,� the DC�s order said.
The Yarlung Tsangpo is also called the Siang once it enters Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet and the same river is known as the Lali in downstream Assam, which is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra.
Earlier in August this year, the district administration sounded such flood alert following report of heavy downpour in the Tsangpo river region.
It was reported that the Tsangpo swelled with observed discharge of 9020 cumec of water on August 30 this year, which broke the records of the last five decades. But no deluge took place as feared by the people.
SPL. CORRESPONDENT FROM NEW DELHI adds: New Delhi on Friday clarified that Beijing has intimated India about the landslide blocking the main stream of the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.
�On October 17, the Chinese side informed us about a landslide blocking the main stream of the Yarlung Tsangpo (the Brahmaputra) in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Based on the information provided, all relevant authorities of the Central government and the State governments concerned have been alerted to take precautionary measures in this regard. We are in regular contact with the Chinese side for further updates,� an official spokesperson told newsmen here today.