Natural dams in Tibet?

The report says "The ITBP doesn't have access to the other side of the international boundary", but what about ISRO?



Arunachal yet to trace reservoir spot
30 Apr 2009, 2247 hrs IST, TNN


GUWAHATI: The East Siang district administration in Arunachal Pradesh has yet to trace the exact spot where The Tsangpo has formed an artificial reservoir following a massive blockade because of to landslides.

"As the artificial reservoir is on the other side of the border, we haven't got any updates on the development. However, we have taken all precautionary measures to save lives and property in case the mudwall bursts," deputy commissioner Onit Paniyang said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Paniyang had said the thickness of the mound was around 49 meters and the length of the reservoir was less than half a kilometre. "Even in case of any breach, the discharge of water from the reservoir would be less and the magnitude of floods would be minimal," he added. He said the ITBP had first informed the district administration about the artificial lake.

"The ITBP doesn't have access to the other side of the international boundary. So, they are also in the dark," the DC added. However, unconfirmed reports said the water level has started receding. The district administration is closely monitoring the situation.

An alert has been sounded in Dhemaji district of Assam bordering Arunachal Pradesh. Dhemaji and Siang districts suffered heavy loss of life and property when a wall of the reservoir collapsed in June 10, 2000.

"We are in consultation with the East Siang district administration on the status of the artificial reservoir," said Dhemaji deputy commissioner P Ashok Babu.

As the northeastern region is vulnerable to flash floods due to reservoir bursts in the Tibetan region, sources said it was high time the Centre chalks out a mechanism with China on sharing information on such things.