A major tragedy was reported in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli on Sunday after a glacier broke in Dhauli Ganga valley in the Joshimath area. Several labourers working at Rishi Ganga hydroelectric power project were reported missing soon after the incident. According to the details, a dam of the Tapovan power project was breached. Reports suggested that the dam has been washed away. Teams of ITBP and SDRF personnel were rushed to the affected areas to rescue the villagers and locals. Meanwhile, the rivers in the region witnessed flash floods soon after the glacier broke.
Chamoli glacier burst, LIVE updates:
Water flow in Alaknanda river has become normal past Nandprayag. Water level of the river is now 1 meter above normal but flow is decreasing. Chief Secretary, Disaster Secretary, Police officials and my all teams are monitoring the situation in disaster control room: Uttarakhand CM
4:45PM | Chamoli Disaster: Another body recovered. Now total 4 bodies recovered in Tapovan area of Chamoli district. 150 missing. Rescue operations by NDRF, SDRF, ITBP and others are on.
Chamoli Disaster: Another body recovered. Now total 4 bodies recovered in Tapovan area of Chamoli district. 150 missing. Rescue operations by NDRF, SDRF, ITBP and others are on! @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard pic.twitter.com/WRCgSBAwwT
— Vineet Upadhyay (@VineetTNIE) February 7, 2021
02:00PM | “Am constantly monitoring the unfortunate situation in Uttarakhand. India stands with Uttarakhand and the nation prays for everyone’s safety there. Have been continuously speaking to senior authorities and getting updates on NDRF deployment, rescue work and relief operations”, PM Modi.
01:55 PM | Three choppers including two Mi-17 and one ALH Dhruv chopper of Air Force stationed in Dehradun for rescue operations in flood-affected areas.
More than 150 labourers working at the Rishi Ganga power project may have been directly affected, news agency PTI reported State Disaster Response Force DIG Ridhim Aggarwal as saying.
“Representatives of the power project have told me that they are not being able to contact around 150 of their workmen at the project site,” she said.
Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat as well as ITBP DG SS Deswal to take stock of situation in Uttarakhand.
The Home Minister also spoke to NDRF DG SN Pradhan and Disaster Management officials.
NDRF की कुछ और टीमें दिल्ली से Airlift करके उत्तराखंड भेजी जा रही हैं। हम वहाँ की स्थिति को निरंतर मॉनिटर कर रहे हैं। https://t.co/BVFZJiHiWY
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 7, 2021
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary OM Prakash has said 100 to150 casualties are feared in the flash flood in Chamoli district.
Massive destruction is feared. More than 150 labourers working at the Rishi Ganga power project may have been directly affected, said State Disaster Response Force DIG Ridhim Aggarwal.
Though the impact of the disaster may not be felt in Rishikesh and Haridwar, the towns have been put on alert.
Following the glacier breach, a massive flood was witnessed in Dhauliganga near Reni village, where many river bankside houses were flooded.
Commenting on the incident, the local police said Rishiganga Power Project has been damaged due breach of a glacier in the Tapovan area and those residing on the bank of the Alaknanda river are advised to move to safe places at the earliest.
The disaster was also confirmed by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, who rushed to the spot and said police and disaster management departments have been directed to deal with the situation.
“Government is taking all necessary steps,” the chief minister said.
