Breakaway glacier floods river in U’khand; 7 dead, 125 missing

ITBP personnel dig to open Tapovan Tunnel which is completely blocked, after a glacier broke off in Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river. Pic/PTI

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 '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. Rawat said at least 125 people including two policemen were missing and the numbers could be higher as authorities of the damaged hydel projects are not in a position to give a precise figure. All efforts are focused at the moment to pull out those feared trapped inside the other tunnels that are clogged with 35-40 feet of debris, Rawat said.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force personnel have penetrated up to 150 metres into the 250-metre-long tunnel but they have not been able to contact any of the trapped employees or workmen, he said. The extent of damage to the two hydel projects is being assessed by their management, he said. One motorable road and four suspension bridges connecting seven to eight villages in the area with the district headquarters have also been washed away by the avalanche. The disconnected villages include Gahar, Bhangyun, Raini Palli, Pang Lata, Suraithota, Tolma and Fagrasu.

Army pressed into service
After a glacier broke off in Joshimath in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, the Army has been pressed into service to carry out rescue operations in flood-hit areas, official sources said. The government has asked the Army to help district administration and disaster teams of the central and state government in their rescue operations.

Modi, Shah review situation in U'khand
As many people were feared trapped after flood in Uttarakhand's Joshimath following an avalanche, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke to state Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and reviewed the situation in the state. The leaders also suggested all possible help from the Centre.

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