The army and administration have been put on high alert in Himachal Pradesh following information that an artificial lake formed in Tibet is likely to burst, triggering flash floods in Sutlej river.

People on both sides of the river have been asked to move to safer places as the 185-hectare lake, created by a landslide that blocked Pareechu river, is likely to burst within 24 hours because of continuous heavy rains.

The news caused panic among the people living downstream Sutlej from Kinnaur to Koldam in Bilaspur district.

The situation was reviews at a meeting presided by state Chief Secretary Kanwar Shamsher Singh on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Nathpa Jhakri Hydel Project authority again closed down its two units of 250 mw each following the threat of floods.

The power generation in its two units were resumed on Sunday afternoon after three days.

The project is supplying power to northern states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan through Northern Grid.