Fourteen persons were on Sunday rescued by SDRF and ITBP teams from the Rumbak Village along Ladakh’s Zanskar River that was hit by a flash flood due to the bursting of a glacial lake.

A red alert has been sounded in the villages downstream Nemoo as there was a threat of outburst of the other artificial lake that has got formed due to blockage of the flow of the Zanskar river.

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A bridge and some roads in the Rumbak village area have been damaged due to the flash flood, said the police.

Urgent relief measures have been undertaken by Leh’s district administration. Joint teams of revenue, engineering, police and other concerned departments have reached the affected villages for immediate assessment and restoration of damages.

Additional District Magistrate, Leh, Sonam Chosjor had earlier warned that the artificial lake may burst anytime. He has flashed a message to the concerned officers to take precautionary measures as the artificial lake might burst anytime and cause flooding in the Indus River. Residents of villages downstream Nemoo have been asked to remain alert.

Army, ITBP and police personnel have reached the affected villages and were helping people to cross the flooded river and shift to safe places.

Deputy Commissioner, Leh, along with SSP visited affected areas for on-spot assessment of damages due to flash floods in the Rumbak-Jingchen area.

Rescue teams of UTDRF are on job. Restoration of roads and water flow in Indus is currently underway.

A team of officers including Chief Engineer NHPC, SDM Liker, SDM Khaltsi, Tehsildar Leh are taking stock of the situation.