Uttarakhand: Glacier breaks in Chamoli, 150 labourers missing

In Uttarakhand, a massive flood in Dhauli Ganga, in Chamoli district was reported . Authorities to launch a search and rescue operation and sounding an alert in all the districts downstream The site is near Reni village, 26 KM from Joshimath, where some water body above flooded and destroyed many river bankside houses due to some cloudburst or breaching of reservoir at around 10 AM on Sunday. According to reports of a glacier breach in the area. The massive flooding has also damaged Rishiganga Power Project in Tapovan area. Casualties feared. More than 150 labourers working in a power project are missing, officials said. Report says that the Joshimath-Malari bridge has been washed away due to the flooding in Dhauli Ganga river. This bridge was used by Indian Army personnel to go to the border areas. Hundreds of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel reached and started rescue operations at the site near the Raini village, where some water bodies were flooded and destroyed many riverbank side houses due to cloudburst or breaching of a reservoir.

Relief Commissioner has issued a notice to all District Magistrates of the state issuing a 'Disaster Alert'. Districts which lie on the Ganga riverbanks have been put on alert.
"Reports of the breaking of a part of Nandadevi Glacier in Uttarakhand has been received. The districts on the Ganga river need to be on high alert and continuous monitoring of water level needs to be done 24×7. If required, people should to be evacuated and taken to a safe place. NDRF, SDRF and PAC Flood Company are being given instructions to be on the highest alert. Please coordinate locally also," the notice said.

Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted and said all possible help would be provided."In relation to the natural disaster in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister TS Rawat and I have spoken to the Director-Generals of the ITBP and NDRF. All concerned officers and organisations are working on a war footing to ensure people are safe. NDRF teams have left for rescue ops and all possible help will be provided," Shah tweeted.

Minister of  Home Nityanand Rai said in his Statement that two teams of ITBP reach the spot, three NDRF teams have been rushed from Dehradun and 3 additional teams will reach there with help of IAF chopper till evening. SDRF & local administration already at on spot. CM Trivendra Singh Rawat tweeted as a precaution, the flow of Bhagirathi river has been stopped. To prevent the flow of water of Alaknanda, Srinagar Dam and Rishikesh Dam have been evacuated. SDRF is on alert. I request you not to spread rumors. Pay attention to official authentic information only. Meanwhile, Srinagar, Hardwar and Rishikesh areas of Uttarakhand have been put on alert as well. The Srinagar dam has been evacuated.

तपोवन में रेस्क्यू कार्य जारी।

पुलिस प्रसाशन मोके पर। pic.twitter.com/OuQT3wEVz5

— chamoli police (@chamolipolice) February 7, 2021

"If you are stuck in the affected area, if you need any kind of help, please contact Disaster Operations Center number 1070 or 9557444486. Please do not spread rumors from old videos about the incident," tweeted the CM Rawat.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which is helping in the rescue and relief work being carried out in after a devastating flash floods in Uttarakhand, said on Sunday that 100-150 people are believed to be dead in the disaster. ITBP chief SS Deswal said 8-10 bodies have been recovered so far. The ITBP said that three of its teams - from 1st battalion and those from mountaineering and skiing institute (M&SI) in Auli - are carrying out the rescue operations in Raini village.

Due to flash flood, the Rishiganga hydro project near Raini village was completely devastated," it said in a statement.The Rishiganga Hydroelectric Project (RGHEP) is a run-of-river hydroelectric project for development on the Rishi Ganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda River, in the Chamoli district."The BRO bridge on Joshimath-Malari highway was also completely washed away. There were six graziers with their livestock and they were also taken away by flash flood," the force further said.The NTPC project in Tapovan was swept away completely. At least 40 people were working at the plant, local authorities said.