Chamoli (Uttarakhand) [India] (ANI): At least twenty six 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, said Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Sunday.
It is suspected that around 100 workers were at the site out of which, 26 dead bodies have been recovered from the river, SS Deswal, Director General, ITBP said.
A team of ITBP team deployed at the site is undertaking a rescue operation and we are in touch with the management team of NTPC to gather information on missing people, Deswal said adding that a team of the Indian Army will reach here soon.
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary OM Prakash told ANI that more than 100 casualties are feared in the flash flood in Chamoli district.
“The teams of ITBP, State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have already reached the spot. A red alert has been issued in the area,” he added.

A total of 16 people who were trapped in Tapovan Dam are being shifted to safer places by the police, said Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar.
A Border Roads Organisation bridge near Malari ahead of the Joshimath area has been washed away by floods. Director General BRO Lieutenant General Rajeev Chaudhary has instructed officials to reinstate it at the earliest possible. The necessary stores and personnel are being moved to the location, he said.
Meanwhile, a total of four Army columns, two medical teams, and one engineering task force have been deployed at Reni village in the Tapovan area of Chamoli, said Indian Army. The aerial reconnaissance is underway by the Indian Army.
To take stock of the situation, Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat reached Reni village in the Tapovan area of Chamoli. Rawat has been briefed on the flood situation by Army and ITBP jawans in the Tapovan area of Chamoli district.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister has spoken to Chief Minister Rawat over the Chamoli flood situation and assured all possible help to the state.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs is monitoring the situation after the water level in the Dhauli Ganga River increased suddenly following an avalanche near a power project at Raini village in the Tapovan area of Chamoli district on Sunday.
The avalanche was triggered after a glacial burst in Chamoli district on Sunday.

Uttarakhand glacier burst: 26 bodies recovered in Tapovan so far, says DGP

Twenty-six bodies have been recovered in Tapovan so far and 197 persons are missing after a glacial break in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district triggered an avalanche and massive flooding of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers on Sunday morning, said state Director General of Police Ashok Kumar on Monday.
Taking to Twitter, Kumar informed that 35 people are supposed to be in the Tunnel where the rescue operation is still going on.
“Final number of dead body recovered in Tapovan till 8 p.m. on 8th February is 26. Over 200 people still remain missing out of which around 35 are supposed to be in the Tunnel where rescue operation is still going on,” the DGP tweeted.
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat held a meeting with ITBP, NDRF, SDRF, Uttarakhand Police & other agencies in Joshimath on rescue efforts in Tapovan.
“All four forces are working in coordination. The rescue operation is underway,” he said.
Rescue operations continued throughout the day even on the second day of the disaster in Chamoli district on Sunday.

Rawat directed the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to release Rs 20 crore funds to carry out rescue and relief operations in the state.
A glacial broke in the Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand on Sunday, which led to massive flooding in Dhauliganga and Alaknanda rivers and damaged houses and the nearby Rishiganga power project.

U’khand glacier burst: No rainfall or snowfall in affected areas on Feb 7, 8, says IMD

After the flash floods in Uttarakhand‘s Rishi Ganga and Dhauliganga rivers following a burst of glacier in Joshimath on Sunday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday informed that dry weather is likely to prevail over the state on February 7 and 8.
“Dry weather is likely to prevail over Uttarakhand on February 7 and 8. However, under the influence of a western disturbance, light rainfall/snowfall is likely over the northern part of
Uttarakhand during evening of February 9 and 10,” the IMD said.

The weather department further predicted no rainfall/snowfall in Chamoli as mainly dry weather will prevail in the district on February 7-8. “The minimum temperature at Tapovan, Joshimath area of Uttarakhand today dipped to minus one degree Celsius and the maximum temperature was recorded at nine degrees Celsius,” it said.

Political leaders express solidarity with people hit by glacier burst, floods in Chamoli

Political leaders across party lines expressed concern over the situation arising from the glacier burst and floods in Uttarakhand‘s Chamoli district and stood in solidarity with the affected people on Sunday.
Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the government is ready to provide all possible help to the people of Uttarakhand in this difficult time.
“The news of the disaster from Chamoli district is very worrying, I pray to God for the safety and efficiency of all people. The government of Delhi is ready to provide all possible help to the people of Uttarakhand in this difficult time,” he tweeted.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged party workers to help the affected people.

“The flood tragedy is very tragic following the glacier burst in Chamoli. My condolences are with the people of Uttarakhand. The state government should provide immediate assistance to all the victims. Congress colleagues also join hands in relief work,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh said that the state stands in solidarity with the people of Uttarakhand in this difficult hour. “I am concerned at developments in Uttarakhand after glacier break. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being. Punjab stands in solidarity with the people of Uttarakhand in this difficult hour,” Singh tweeted.
Member of Telangana Legislative Council Kavitha Kalvakuntla expressed concern over the destruction and said, “Absolutely heartbreaking to hear the disturbing news of avalanche and floods in parts of Uttarakhand. It is painful to read about the damage that it has caused. Praying for the safety and well-being of Uttarakhand and those affected.”
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath Office tweeted that, “constant monitoring of water level is being done in districts situated on the banks of river Ganga in the state. In case of a rise in the water level, the people settled on the banks of river Ganga will be sent elsewhere. Instructions have been given for relief and rescue.”
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 the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, said Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Sunday. (ANI)

Uttarakhand Glacier Burst: Over 200 people feared missing, rescue operation underway

Over 200 people are feared missing following the glacier burst, which led to heavy flooding in Dhauliganga and Alaknanda rivers, said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Monday while adding that rescue operation is underway.
“Around 203 people are missing including 11 dead bodies are recovered as of now. We are estimating that 35 people are stuck in another tunnel. Rescue operation is underway,” said Rawat.
Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said Union Home Minister Amit Shah is reviewing the situation frequently.
“We are 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 said.
“It is a very difficult situation, but ITBP successfully rescued people from the first tunnel and now they are working on the second tunnel which is approximately three kilometers long. NDRF and the military are also on it. By afternoon we can expect some positive results,” he added.
Meanwhile, a team of SDRF-Uttarakhand Police carried out a search operation around Srinagar Dam.

“We were informed that 178 people were issued passes here (tunnel). Of which, 15 were rescued yesterday. The rescue operation is underway in another tunnel. There is a possibility that 35 people are stranded in it. Priority is to rescue them as soon as possible,” said Neeru Garg, DIG Garhwal range.
MHA informed that the second tunnel’s mouth has also been opened up. Slush and silt clearance is in progress.

On the other hand, aerial rescue and relief missions have resumed with Mi-17 and ALH helicopters flying from Dehradun to Joshimath with disaster relief teams on board said the Indian Air Force.
Tapovan Hydro-Electric Power Dam, also known as Rishi Ganga Project was completely washed off following a glacier burst in the Chamoli, said the Indian Air Force’s initial report as Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) deployed at Joshimath has undertaken recce of the affected areas.
Rawat has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakhs each to the kin of those who lost their lives due to the glacial burst.
A glacial broke in the Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand on Sunday, which led to massive flooding in Dhauliganga and Alaknanda rivers and damaged houses and the nearby Rishiganga power project. (ANI)