A great tragedy has occurred in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand today in which a glacier situated in the Dhauli Ganga valley in the Joshimath area collapsed. Meanwhile, hundreds of personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) have been dispatched to the surrounding areas to begin immediate extraction of any locals stuck.
#UPDATE: ITBP rescues all 16 people who were trapped in the tunnel near Tapovan, Chamoli. #Uttarakhand https://t.co/vi2ZbTyB9N
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2021
The nearby areas have also been flooded due to the large amounts of water released by the glacier. These include the Dhauliganga and Alaknanda river basin. Cities like Rishikesh and Haridwar are in a state of emergency, though the likelihood of the floods affecting them is low. Seven Indian Navy Diving Teams are on standby for Uttarakhand flash flood relief operations, said Navy officials.
Rescue operation underway at the tunnel near Tapovan dam in Chamoli to rescue trapped people. #Uttarakhand
(Pic courtesy: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/lcKlHdcNn3
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2021
Seven Indian Navy Diving Teams are on standby for Uttarakhand flash flood relief operations: Indian Navy officials
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2021
The Uttarakhand police said that people located in and around the affected areas are advised to evacuate as quickly as possible. The Rishiganga Power Project has also been damaged and contact with around 150 employees working there has been lost. 16 people who were trapped in Tapovan Dam are being shifted to safer places by Police, said the Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat being briefed on flood situation by Army and ITBP jawans, in Tapovan area of Chamoli district. pic.twitter.com/uBraBzSFzJ
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2021
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Prime Minister Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind also took to Twitter to express their grief about the natural disaster.
Deeply worried about the glacier burst near Joshimath, Uttarakhand, that caused destruction in the region. Praying for well being and safety of people. Am confident that rescue and relief operations on ground are progressing well: President Ram Nath Kovind
(File photo) pic.twitter.com/ywEhPkJn29
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2021
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 7, 2021
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Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat stated that the efforts of the police and disaster management departments have been diverted towards the situation. Rawat is also surveying the situation on the ground. The rescue operations are being carried out with utmost vigour and the flow of the nearby Bhagirathi River has been halted.
Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat reaches near Reni village in Tapovan area of Chamoli; takes stock of the situation. pic.twitter.com/Slw1Vn2Qx9
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2021
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