LIVE: Uttarakhand glacier burst leaves 7 dead, 125 missing; rescue ops on
There is no danger of floods in the downstream areas as the water level has been contained.
Latest News LIVE updates: A glacier broke off in Joshimath in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Sunday, causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river and endangering the lives of people living along its banks. Massive destruction is feared.
"3 NDRF teams have reached there. More teams are ready to be airlifted to Uttarakhand from Delhi. ITBP jawans are also there. I assure the people of Uttarakhand that the Modi government stands with them in this difficult time. All help will be extended," Home Minister Amit Shah said.
PM Modi said relief work is in full progress in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, where a glacier burst, leading to a massive flood and causing large-scale devastation. The PM added that he is in constant touch with the chief minister of Uttarakhand, and is keeping track of the situation.
"Today, we are at one end of Maa Ganga. But the state of Uttarakhand, which is the origin of Maa Ganga, is facing a disaster. I am in constant touch with the chief minister of Uttarakhand, the Union home minister and officials of the NDRF," he said.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway in the Haldia area of Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal to Welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is scheduled to visit the state in later half of the day. PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of key infrastructure projects in Haldia.
Stay tuned for LIVE updates on latest news
1:31 AM
IAF shares recce initial report from site of Uttarakhand flash flood
1:30 AM
Uttarakhand glacier burst
1:29 AM
Uttarakhand glacier burst
12:50 AM
Floods as glacier breaks off in U'khand, 16 labourers rescued, 7 bodies recovered, 125 still missing
A portion of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Sunday, triggering an avalanche and a deluge in the Alaknanda river system that washed away hydroelectric stations, leaving at least seven people dead and 125 missing who are feared dead.
The sudden flood in the middle of the day in the Dhauli Ganga, Rishi Ganga and Alaknanda rivers -- all intricately linked tributaries of the Ganga -- triggered widespread panic and large-scale devastation in the high mountain areas.
Two power projects – NTPC's Tapovan-Vishnugad hydel project and the Rishi Ganga Hydel Project – were extensively damaged with scores of labourers trapped in tunnels as the waters came rushing in.
Sixteen men were rescued safely from a tunnel in the Tapovan project but about 125 were still missing. As night fell in the ecologically fragile Himalayas and rescue work in the difficult to access areas became more difficult, there were fears they may be dead.
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said seven bodies were recovered and at least 125 were missing. Homes along the way were also swept away as the waters rushed down the mountainsides in a raging torrent. There were fears of damage in human settlements downstream, including in heavily populated areas. Many villages were evacuated and people taken to safer areas.
By evening it was believed that downstream areas were safe and the Central Water Commission (CWC) said there was no threat to neighbouring villages.
However, the water level in the Dhauli Ganga river surged up once again on Sunday night under the impact of the glacial burst during the day, creating panic among people living in the area.
However, the water level in the Dhauli Ganga river surged up once again on Sunday night under the impact of the glacial burst during the day, creating panic among people living in the area.
The sudden surge in the water level in the Dhauli Ganga at around 8 pm prompted authorities to suspend rescue operations underway to extricate 30-35 people trapped in the debris clogging one of the tunnels at the Tapovan-Vishnugad hydel project. The rescue efforts will be resumed on Monday morning, the GM of the project said. PTI
12:49 AM
High alert in UP as glacier breaks off in neighbouring Uttarakhand
The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday put on high alert the authorities in all districts on the banks of the Ganga and asked them to continuously monitor the water levels in the river after a glacier broke off at Joshimath in neighbouring Uttarakhand's Chamoli, triggering a massive flood there.
The glacier burst triggered an avalanche and a deluge in the Alaknanda river system that washed away hydroelectric stations, leaving at least seven people dead and 125 missing who are feared dead.
In a disaster alert issued to district magistrates in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, the relief commissioner said, "Reports of breaking off a part of the Nanda Devi glacier in Uttarakhand have been received. The districts on the (banks of) Ganga river need to be on high alert and the monitoring of water level needs to be done 24x7".
"If required, people should be taken to safer places. The NDRF, SDRF and PAC Flood Company have been instructed to be on the highest alert," the statement added. PTI
11:31 PM
NEWS ALERT | Uttarakhand glacier burst
Water level rising again, people near river bank in Chamoli being alerted: Uttarakhand Police
11:30 PM
Uttarakhand glacier burst: A tranquil morning turned into tragedy for villagers Raini
It was a tranquil winter morning in Raini village until the residents were jolted at around 10 AM on Sunday by a loud sound and the sight of huge torrents of water and sludge in the Rishi Ganga river hurtling towards them.
"Before we could make out what was happening, the raging muddy waters of Rishi Ganga had devastated the landscape," says 50-year-old Dharam Singh, a resident of the village.
The scenes brought back to the people horrifying memories of the 2013 Kedarnath deluge that killed thousands.
Many were feared swept away in the sudden floods on Sunday including those who were working near the river.
Three residents of the village including a 75-year-old woman identified as Amrita Devi who had gone out to work in her field close to the bridge on Rishi Ganga are missing since the avalanche struck after the Nanda Devi glacier burst.
Others missing include Yashpal Singh of Valli Raini who had gone to the fields to graze his livestock and disappeared along with them.
Ranjit Singh, 25, of the village who worked in the Rishi Ganga hydel project is also missing after the avalanche.
The avalanche destroyed the project commissioned in 2020.
A major motorable bridge on the main border road was also washed away.
10:54 PM
Specialised personnel have reached Dehradun: Indian Air Force PRO Wing Commander Indranil Nandi
10:49 PM
Uttarakhand flood: French President Macron expresses solidarity with India
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday expressed France's full solidarity with India in the wake of a glacier burst at Joshimath in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district that triggered a massive flood in the region.
"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," Macron said on Twitter.
A portion of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off on Sunday, triggering a deluge in the Alaknanda river system that washed away hydroelectric stations, and leaving at least seven people dead and 125 missing who are feared dead.
A massive operation has been launched to rescue people from the flood-affected areas.
10:26 PM
Rescue work at the Tapovan Tunnel had to be halted due to rise in water level
10:21 PM
Bollywood stars pray for people's safety after massive flood in U'khand
Several Bollywood stars including Akshay Kumar, Randeep Hooda, Sidharth Malhotra and Sunny Deol on Sunday expressed concerns over the avalanche triggered after a glacial burst in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, which has caused destruction in the region.
The 'Boss' star said that he is praying for everyone's well being in Uttarakhand.
"Terrifying visuals of the glacier burst in #Uttarakhand, thoughts and prayers for everyone's safety (folded hands emoticon)," Kumar tweeted.
In a tweet, Sidharth Malhotra said, "Prayers for everyone's safety in #Uttarakhand. If you are stuck in any affected areas and need any kind of help, please contact Disaster Operations Center number at 1070 or 9557444486."
Sunny Deol urged the nation to stand together in this crisis and pray for Uttarkhand.
Calling for stringent environmental impact assessment, Randeep Hooda sends out prayers for the safety of the people.
"Man tampering with nature results in disaster.. we must be very careful and have more Stringent Environmental Impact Assessment #EIA, not less, for ongoing and future infra projects .. prayers for the safety of the people affected#Uttarakhand," wrote the 'Sarabjit' star on Twitter.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Sunday said that at least nine bodies have been recovered from the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) site in the Tapovan area following the glacier burst in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
The avalanche was triggered after a glacial burst in Chamoli district on Sunday.
10:16 PM
Uttarakhand flood: Army, IAF deploy teams, assets as part of rescue mission
The Indian Air Force and the Army on Sunday swang into action as part of a multi-agency rescue operation in Uttarakhand's Chamoli region as it was reeling under a massive flood triggered by a glacier burst at Joshimath, officials said.
They said the 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, they said.
The glacier burst triggered an avalanche and a deluge in the Alaknanda river system that washed away hydroelectric stations, leaving at least seven people dead and 125 missing who are feared dead.
"The loss of precious lives due to the glacier burst in Chamoli is deeply painful. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Two helicopters from the Armed Forces have been moved from Bareilly to Joshimath for rescue and relief operations," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.
"I have been watching the visuals from Chamoli district about the damage caused by the glacier burst. In this difficult time, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people affected by the tragedy. Praying for the well-being of the people of Uttarakhand," he said.
Officials said the Army has also pressed into service a number of its helicopters to assist the civil administration in rescuing people from flood-affected areas, the officials said.
They said the Indian Air Force has operated C-130 and AN32 transport aircraft to airlift personnel from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to the affected areas.
10:07 PM
NTPC says Tapovan project partly damaged, monitoring situation
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.
10:05 PM
U'khand glacier burst leaves seven dead, at least 125 missing; CM says numbers could be higher
Rescuers have pulled out seven bodies from a tunnel while at least 125 people were missing after a glacier burst in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand triggered a massive avalanche and floods in the Alaknanda river system on Sunday.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said the numbers could be higher and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the "massive disaster".
Two power projects – NTPC's Tapovan-Vishnugad hydel project and the Rishi Ganga Hydel Project – were extensively damaged with scores of labourers trapped in tunnels as the waters and sludge came rushing in.
Seven bodies have been recovered from one of the tunnels in Tapovan and a search for the rest of the missing people is underway by ITBP and SDRF personnel, Rawat said here on his return from a visit to the affected areas.
9:54 PM
Deepest condolences to those affected by the glacier burst: US State Dept
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First Published: Feb 07 2021 | 7:46 AM IST