Glacier Breaks In Uttarakhand, Several Feared Missing, PM Modi Reviews Situation

Chamoli (Uttarakhand): 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.

More than 150 labourers working at the Rishi Ganga power project may have been directly affected, said State Disaster Response Force DIG Ridhim Aggarwal. 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," she said. Though details are awaited, several districts, including Pauri, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Haridwar and Dehradun, are likely to be affected and have been put on high alert.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat appealed to people to not spread rumours through old flood videos.

He said all districts concerned have been alerted and people have been asked not to go near the Ganga.

Rawat cancelled all his programmes scheduled for the day. He is likely to visit Chamoli to take stock of the situation.

ITBP and NDRF teams rushed to flood-hit areas in Uttarakhand to undertake relief and rescue work, officials in New Delhi said.

Three choppers including two Mi-17 and one ALH Dhruv chopper of Air Force have been stationed in Dehradun and nearby areas for helping in rescue operations in flood-affected areas. More aircraft will be deployed as per the requirement on ground.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the situation.

Am constantly monitoring unfortunate situation in #Uttarakhand. India stands with Uttarakhand & nation prays for everyone’s safety there. Have been continuously speaking to senior authorities & getting updates on NDRF deployment, rescue work & relief operations: PM Narendra Modi

— OTV (@otvnews) February 7, 2021

"I am constantly monitoring the unfortunate situation in Uttarakhand. India stands with Uttarakhand and nation prays for everyone’s safety there. I have been continuously speaking to senior authorities and getting updates on NDRF deployment, rescue work and relief operations," tweeted Modi.

Some more NDRF teams are being airlifted to Uttarakhand from Delhi. We are constantly monitoring the situation: Home Minister Amit Shah

— OTV (@otvnews) February 7, 2021