Damaged Dhauliganga hydropower project after a glacier broke off in Joshimath causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
Around 150 people were feared dead in the flash flood that devastated the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited project on river Dhauli Ganga near Tapovan. The flash flood occurred in river Rishi Ganga near Joshimath around 10.45 am on Sunday after a part of a glacier fell in the river exponentially increasing its volume. Due to this, the Rishi Ganga hydro project near Reni village was completely devastated. The Border Road Organisation (BRO) bridge on Joshimath - Malari highway was also completely washed away. Rishi Ganga meets Dhauli Ganga near Reni village due to which Dhauli Ganga also flooded. Around six houses of the village also washed away. Further two bridges connecting villages on the other side of river also got washed away. The BRO has managed to clear and reopen the Rishikesh-Joshimath-Mana road which was blocked at Hathipahad due to the flash flood. The National Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and state authorities have been carrying out rescue operations along with the army in the region. The Central government is monitoring the situation and joint efforts of all the agencies are being made to rescue those trapped.
Uttarakhand Glacier Burst LIVE UPDATES:
Death toll further rises to 26
"Final number of dead body recovered in Tapovan till 8 p.m. on 8th February is 26. 171 people still remain missing out of which around 35 are supposed to be in the Tunnel where rescue operation is still going on."
Death toll rises to 24
The death toll in the tragedy has risen to 24, the Uttarakhand Police said in a tweet. It has recovered 24 bodies from different places so far. Meanwhile, a non-stop rescue operation inside the Tapovan tunnel is underway.
PM Modi discusses future course of action with Uttarakhand MPs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah interact with Uttarakhand MPs, discussed relief efforts and future course of action over Uttarakhand glacier disaster.
May take 2-3 hours to reach the T-point: CM Rawat
Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said that a joint team of NDRF, SDRF and Army is conducting a rescue operation. "The team has reached the 130-metre mark in Tapovan tunnel, it may take 2-3 hrs to reach the t-point. Efforts underway to safely rescue those who are stuck in the tunnel."
200 people missing: CM Rawat
CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said that preliminary estimates show around 200 people missing, while bodies of around 11 people have been found. Comprehensive analysis being undertaken to find reasons of incident and build plan to avert future tragedy. Breaking of glacier seems to have caused Chamoli tragedy. He informed that experts from DRDO, ISRO and other agencies being roped in. Also, ration kits being provided by Uttarakhand government to those displaced from their homes. He added that PM Narendra Modi is in constant touch with the state government since Tragedy struck and has assured all possible help.
Uttarakhand disaster: Antonio Guterres offers help to India
As rescue efforts continued on a war footing, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the United Nations stands ready to contribute to the ongoing rescue and assistance efforts in Uttarakhand if necessary. "The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the reported loss of life and dozens missing following the glacier burst and subsequent flooding in Uttarakhand state, India, on Sunday," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Guterres. The Secretary-General expresses his deep condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of India. The United Nations stands ready to contribute to ongoing rescue and assistance efforts if necessary, he added in a statement.
Mouth of tunnel at Tapovan opened
Indian Army personnel along with Engineer Task Force opened the mouth of tunnel at Tapovan in the flood-affected Uttarakhand's Joshimath as rescue operations continued more than 24 hours after the disaster hit. A senior Indian Army official said: "Rescue work continued throughout the night with earth movers by installing generators and search lights." The rescued people were given medical aid at the field hospital created by the army at the site.
13 villages cut off
Manoj Rawat, ADG ITBP in Joshimath, said that after bridge collapsed in Raini village during glacier burst, around 13 villages have been cut off near areas such as Malari and Ghansali.
Uttarakhand glacier burst: Mi-17 and Chinook helicopters lead rescue ops
The second wave of Mi-17 and Chinook helicopters has been launched from Dehradun for Joshimath with rescue & relief teams on board. IAF Task Force Commander is coordinating with state authorities for ongoing HADR (Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief) efforts: Indian Air Force
Whole country is with Uttarakhand: Rahul Gandhi
Expressing solidarity with those affected by the glacier burst in Uttarakhand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the whole country is with the people of the state and it is important that relief operations are not hindered in the next few days.
Jaishankar appreciates world leaders for supporting India
Deeply appreciate the solidarity expressed by my colleagues around the world on the tragic loss of lives caused by a glacier breach in Chamoli, Uttarakhand yesterday. Value your support in this difficult time: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar
Uttarakhand Glacier Burst: 19 bodies recovered
As rescue operations continue at the Rishiganga power project 19 bodies have been recovered till now.Out of these 4 were recovered from Rudraprayag and15 from Chamoli. Relief and rescue operations are underway at the affected sites.
Rescue operation underway in 2.5 km long tunnel
Rescue operation underway in 2.5 km long tunnel. Problem lies with debris which's gradually being cleared. 27 people alive,11 dead,153 missing. Out of 153, 40-50 are stuck in tunnel. There's a possibility of remaining people being washed away in Uttarakhand: NDRF DG SN Pradhan
Manoj Singh Rawat, ADG Western Command, ITBP takes stock of the rescue operations
Rescue operation underway in another tunnel
We were informed that 178 people were issued passes here. Of which, 15 were rescued yesterday. Rescue operation underway in another tunnel. There is possibility that 35 people are stranded in it. Priority is to rescue them as soon as possible:Neeru Garg, DIG Garhwal range
UTTARAKHAND GLACIER BURST UPDATE: 203 people are missing
Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said that around 203 people are missing including 11 dead bodies recovered as of now. "We weren't aware of a subsidiary company's project Tapovan till yesterday. We're estimating that 35 people are stuck in another tunnel. Rescue operation underway," he said.
Uttarakhand Glacier Burst: PM Modi, Amit Shah monitoring situation
Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said that the government is constantly receiving directions from the Centre with Prime Minister Narendra Modi keeping track. Home Minister Amit Shah is also reviewing the situation in every half an hour. Pokhriyal is in Uttarakhand today. "It is a very difficult situation, but ITBP successfully rescued people from 1st tunnel and now they are working on 2nd tunnel which is approx 3 km long. NDRF and military are also on it. By afternoon we can expect some positive results," he said.
Rishikesh and Haridwar put on alert
Though the impact of the disaster may not be felt in Rishikesh and Haridwar, the temple towns have been put on alert. A government spokesman said that there was not much human habitation at the site where the glacier broke apart, but a number of power projects have been hit. The government has appealed to the people not to venture near the Ganga river.
UTTARAKHAND GLACIER BURST UPDATE: After tireless efforts of Army personnel, including Engineering Task Force, the mouth of the tunnel was cleared. Work continued throughout the night with earthmovers by installing generators and search lights. Field Hospital providing medical aid at the incident site: Indian Army
Uttarakhand glacier burst: Boris Johnson offers help to India
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday expressed solidarity with India after a glacier burst in Uttarakhand. Johnson said that the UK is ready to offer any support required to India after the devastating floods in Uttarakhand. "My thoughts are with the people of India and rescue workers in Uttarakhand as they respond to devastating flooding from the glacier collapse. The UK stands in solidarity with India and is ready to offer any support needed," he tweeted.
UTTARAKHAND UPDATE: Tapovan project partly damaged: NTPC
Part of an under-construction hydropower project of state-run power major NTPC has been damaged by the avalanche in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Sunday. The company has said that it is monitoring the situation continuously along with the district administration and police. Part of the under-construction Tapovan Vishnugad hydro power project (520 MW) has faced damages while another privately-owned Rishi Ganga hydro project (130 MW) was completely devastated. "An avalanche near Tapovan in Uttarakhand has damaged a part of our under-construction hydropower project in the region. While rescue operation is on, situation is being monitored continuously with the help of district administration and police," NTPC said in a tweet.
Uttarakhand Glacier Burst UPDATE: No threat to neighbouring villages
The NCMC (National Crisis Management Committee) met late Sunday evening and said information from the Central Water Commission (CWC) indicated there was no danger of downstream flooding at this point, and that the rise in water levels had been contained. There is also no threat to the neighbouring villages, the NCMC said after it met.
Uttarakhand Glacier Burst: CM Rawat announces Rs 4 lakh compensation
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the incident and declared Rs 4 lakh compensation to the family of those whose bodies have been recovered. Rawat said that he is taking stock of the situation and supervising rescue and relief operations. Additionally, Rs 2 lakh will be given from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, with Rs 50,000 for those with serious injuries.
Uttarakhand Glacier Burst: Deal toll mounts to 14
14 bodies have been recovered from different places so far, according to Chamoli Police.
Uttarakhand Glacier Burst UPDATE: Water level rising again, people near river bank in Chamoli being alerted: Uttarakhand Police.
The tragedy took place after the water level in Dhauliganga river, one of the six sources of the Ganga river, suddenly surged on Sunday morning following an avalanche near the Rishi Ganga power project. The 85 km river meets the Alaknanda river at Vishnuprayag at the base of Joshimath mountain. The flash flood occurred in Rishi Ganga at around 10.45 AM due to a glacier falling into it and exponentially increasing the volume of water. Due to this, the Rishi Ganga hydro project was completely devastated. The BRO bridge on Joshimath highway was also completely washed away.
