Uttarakhand Glacier Burst: 7 dead, over 170 missing, rescue continues; PM monitoring situation

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A massive glacier breach in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district caused flash floods in the Dhauli Ganga river, causing large-scale devastation in the upper reaches of the ecological fragile Himalayas. As per reports, a part of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off at Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli leading to wide-spread devastation. Between 100-170 people, mostly labourers who were working at a power project in Tapovan-Reni are missing. Seven bodies have been recovered so far. Also, the power project was swept away completely, added state Director General of Police Ashok Kumar while describing the situation as under control. Homes along the way were also swept away as the waters rushed down the mountainsides in a raging torrent. Meanwhile, rescue operations by the state administration are underway. 

Uttarakhand Glacier Burst | LIVE Updates  

• The glacial burst led to the rising of water levels in the river Rishiganga, which washed away the Rishiganga small hydro project of 13.2 MW.

• There is no danger of downstream flooding and the rise in water level has been contained, as per the information given by the Central Water Commission (CWC). There is also no threat to the neighbouring villages.

• The concerned agencies of the Centre and the State were asked to keep a strict vigil on the situation, and a team from DRDO, who monitor avalanches, is being flown in for surveillance and reconnaissance.

• All the specialised personnel who were airlifted from Delhi have reached Dehradun. The airlifting of these personnel from Dehradun onwards to the affected areas will start at 6:45 am tomorrow, says Indian Air Force PRO Wing Commander Indranil Nandi.

• Scientists with specialised equipment will also be taken to the areas for aerial reconnaissance. We will ensure that maximum bases are available to support the operations: Wing Commander Indranil Nandi said. 

• .Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said, "PM Modi just called to review the flood situation in the State... this was his fourth call regarding the matter."

• Our deepest condolences to those affected by the glacier burst and landslide in India. We grieve with the family and friends of the deceased and extend our hopes for a speedy and full recovery for the injured, says US State Department. 
• Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar said rescue work at the NTPC's 900-metre long Tapovan Tunnel had to be halted due to rise in water level, PTI reported. 

• The Rishikesh-Joshimath-Mana road which was blocked at Hathipahad due to flash flood in Dhauli Ganga was reopened for traffic by Border Roads Organisation by late afternoon today after road clearance operation. Several BRO teams are in the area for relief operations, BRO informed.

• Since the flow of water was very fast initially, bodies are being recovered far away from the incident site. Some are trapped in deep areas and others in tunnels, so there is issue of access, Amrendra Kumar Sengar, IG NDRF said.
• Now we are focusing on second tunnel, that is tunnel number one, we've learnt that around 30 people are trapped there. We will be carrying out night operations also. Our teams are already on the job and we hope that we'll be able to resue them, says Vivek Pandey, ITBP PRO.
• Army deployed around 400 personnel in rescue operations besides sending two medical teams to affected areas.
• One engineering task force of the Army was also deployed in Ringi village in Joshimath and a control room has been set up in the area, officials informed.
• Two IAF C-130 aircraft from AFS Hindan have positioned NDRF teams at Dehradun, where Mi-17 & ALH helicopters are deployed for onward deployment to Joshimath.

• An additional ALH deployed at Joshimath has undertaken recce of affected areas, Indian Air Force informed.

• France expresses its full solidarity with India, after a glacier burst in the Uttarakhand province, leading to the disappearance of over 100 people. Our thoughts are with them and their families, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

• River Alaknanda at Srinagar in Pauri Garhwal, Uttrakhand is flowing much below warning level as the impact of Glacial Lake burst is felt only up to Joshimath, Central Water Commission has said. 

• PM Narendra Modi has approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the tragic avalanche caused by a Glacier breach in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. Rs 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured.

• 7 bodies have been recovered so far, over 125 missing post glacier burst in Chamoli, says Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat.

• 2 teams of NDRF are enroute and 3 additional teams have been flown in from Hindon which will reach the spot later in the night. 

• More than 200 ITBP personnel are on the spot, and one column and Engineering Task Force (ETF) of Army, with all rescue equipment have been deployed.

• IMD informed during the meeting that there is no rainfall warning in the region for the next two days.

• Uttarakhand is facing a disaster. I am in touch with State CM Trivendra Rawat, Union Home Minister and NDRF officers. The rescue operations are underway, PM Modi said while addressing a rally in Haldia, West Bengal.

• Seven Indian Navy Diving Teams are on standby for Uttarakhand flash flood relief operations, says Indian Navy officials.

• Over 100 labourers working at a power project in Tapovan-Reni are feared dead, an Indo Tibetan Border Police spokesperson said while quoting the project-in charge. There were fears of damage in human settlements downstream, including in heavily populated areas.
• Many villages were evacuated and people taken to safer areas.

• Connectivity with some border posts was "totally restricted" due to a bridge collapsing near Reni village, an ITBP spokesperson said.
• Several districts, including Pauri, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Haridwar and Dehradun, that were likely to be affected were put on high alert and forces of the ITBP and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed in to help with the rescue and relief effort.

ALSO READ | IN PICS: Massive disaster after Glacier bursts at Joshimath in Uttarakhand's Chamoli

• "I am constantly monitoring the unfortunate situation in Uttarakhand. India stands with Uttarakhand, prays for everyone's safety," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
• "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," said State Disaster Response Force DIG Ridhim Aggarwal.
• The waters in the Dhauli Ganga, a tributary of the Ganga, was flowing two to three metres above normal, the official added.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and assured him of all possible support to deal with the situation arising from the glacier burst and the resulting floods.
• In a series of tweets in Hindi, Shah also said teams of the NDRF were deployed for rescue and relief operations of the affected people while additional troops of the force were being airlifted from Delhi.

ALSO READ | Nation prays for everyone's safety there: PM Modi monitoring flood situation in Uttarakhand

• "I have spoken to Chief Minister @tsrawatbjp ji, DG ITBP and DG NDRF regarding the natural disaster in Uttarakhand. All the concerned officers are working on a war footing to secure the people. NDRF teams have left for rescue operations. Every possible help will be provided to 'Devbhoomi'," he said.
• Shah said the central government is constantly monitoring the situation in Uttarakhand.

• "Some more teams of NDRF are being airlifted from Delhi and sent to Uttarakhand. We are constantly monitoring the situation there," he said.
• A home ministry spokesperson said four NDRF teams (about 200 personnel) were airlifted to Dehradun and would head to Joshimath. The chief minister also appealed to people to not spread rumours through old flood videos.
• He said the water level in the Alaknanda, another tributary of the Ganga, is one metre above normal but the flow was reducing gradually. He said all districts concerned have been alerted and people have been asked not to go near the Ganga.

(With inputs from PTI)

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