The unprecedented flood in the Sutlej river on the fateful night of 1st August, 2000 took heavy toll of life and caused loss of thousands of crore of Rupees in Kinnaur, Shimla and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh. Such devastation has never been witnessed in the living memory. It was stated to be caused due to a cloudburst.

    The fury river washed away dozens of bridges including important road bridges and vast stretches of roads on the national highway. A large number of houses were swept away. Even houses built at a safer level of 20m-25m above the water level did not escape the fury. The electric poles were uprooted and the entire area of Kinnaur and Rampur plunged into darkness. Entire tribal district of Kinnaur, Nirmand and Ani areas of district Kullu were cut off from the rest of the country.

    The maximum havoc has been wreaked between Khab, and Wangtu, as many as 14 bridges have been washed away between these two points. These include the bridges at Tashigong, Khab, Nisang, Moorang, Akpa, Riba Powari, Shongtong and Karcham. The approach road to the Wangtu bridge has been washed away though there has been no harm to the bridge. In all, a population of 1.50 lakh will be affected in Kinnaur, Kulu and Shimla districts. After October, when the Kunzum Pass is closed due to snow, even the people of Spiti will feel the pinch as for about nine months in a year they use the Kinnaur route.

    The flood also caused extensive loss of thousands of crore of Rupees to the Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Electric Project.Even Bhaba, Ganvi and Chaba Power Houses were damaged and power supply was also disrupted for few days.

    After the initial panic, relief and rehabilitation measures are being taken by the government. But despite the best efforts of the government, it will be a long way to normalcy. The essential commodities like rice, wheat, atta, tea-leaves, salt, sugar, milk, oils, candles, kerosene oil etc. were sent to the affected areas in helicopters. Even some foreign tourists who were stranded at Sangla valley of Kinnaur were brought back in helicopters. Such sorties would continue for a few months.

    With vital infrastructure like roads and power supply completely destroyed, maintaining the supply of such commodities over the next few months will be a herculean task before the government.

    Government has already taken number of steps to construct the new roads and started construction of new bridges but it will take considerable time to bring back the normal conditions.

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