U’khand Glacier Burst: 32 Dead, HM Says Situation Being Monitored

Catch all live updates of the Uttarakhand glacier break here.

The Quint
India
Updated:
Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Sunday, 7 February, was struck by tragedy after a flash flood triggered by a glacier burst left at least 19 people dead and 202 people missing.
i
Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Sunday, 7 February, was struck by tragedy after a flash flood triggered by a glacier burst left at least 19 people dead and 202 people missing.
(Photo: PTI)

advertisement

All concerned agencies of the Centre and the state are monitoring the situation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, 9 February, regarding the flash floods in Uttarakhand.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the disaster has risen to 32, with six more bodies having been recovered on Tuesday, the Uttarakhand Police said, adding that 197 people are still missing.

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat on Tuesday said that about 35 people are stuck inside a tunnel near Tapovan. “We're trying to drill and make way via ropes to reach them,” he said.

  • All 12 persons rescued by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on 7 February were discharged on Tuesday from 1st Battalion ITBP, Joshimath.
  • Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Tuesday morning conducted an aerial survey of areas affected due to the disaster
  • The breach had triggered massive flooding along the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers
  • CM Rawat has asked those stuck in affected areas or those in need of help to call on 1070 or 9557444486

32 Bodies Recovered, 197 Missing: Uttarakhand Police

The Uttarakhand Police said on Tuesday that 32 bodies have been recovered so far from various locations in the aftermath of the flash floods, while 197 people are missing. “Eight of these (bodies have been) identified. People, who know someone who is missing, can contact DIG Law and Order on +91 7500016666, they'll be sent photos of 24 bodies that are yet to be identified, on WhatsApp,” the police was quoted as saying.

Rescue Team Uses Drone to Assess Feasibility of Entering Beyond Cleared Site Inside Tunnel

A joint team of ITBP, NDRF, SDRF and other agencies conducting rescue operations used a drone camera to assess the feasibility of entering beyond the cleared site inside the Tapovan tunnel, the ITBP said, adding that they haven't been successful so far.

Central Govt, PM Monitoring Situation in Uttarakhand: Home Minister Amit Shah

Addressing the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Central government, including the prime minister, is monitoring the situation arising out of the flash floods in Uttarakhand.

"Both the control rooms of the Home Ministry are monitoring the situation round the clock and the state is being provided with all the possible help," he was quoted as saying in the Lower House.

Financial Aid of Rs 20 Lakh for Families of Deceased: Union Power Minister

The rescue operations are continuing in a tunnel where more than 30 people are said to be trapped.

"Ninety-three NTPC workers are missing. Thirty-nine are still stuck in the tunnel, we're trying to reach them. We are planning to install Early Warning System as a precautionary measure against avalanche. A financial aid of Rs 20 lakh will be given to deceased's families," Union Power Minister RK Singh was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

All 12 Persons Rescued by ITBP Discharged From Hospital

All 12 persons rescued by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on 7 February were discharged on Tuesday from 1st Battalion ITBP Joshimath.

Death Toll in Disaster Rises to 31

The death toll in the Uttarakhand glacier disaster has risen to 31, with five more bodies having been recovered on Tuesday, the State Emergency Control Centre said, according to PTI.

25-35 People Could be Stuck in Tunnel: Amit Shah

The Home Minister said that 12 people from NTPC have been safely evacuated from a tunnel in the affected area and said that 15 people from Rishi Ganga projects, too, have been secured.

“In a tunnel of a different project of NTPC, approximately 25-35 people could be stuck. Securing missions are ongoing to evacuate them,” Shah said.

450 jawans of ITBP, 5 teams of NDRF, 8 teams of Indian Army, a Navy team and 5 IAF helicopters are engaged in search and rescue operation, Shah added.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Situation Being Monitored: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha

All concerned agencies of Centre and State are monitoring the situation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday on the disaster in Uttarakhand.

The Home Minister stated that the Uttarakhand government has said that the floods do not pose a risk to the low-lying areas anymore and the water level is receding as well.

Haryana CM Donates Rs 11 Crores to Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Fund

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has donated Rs 11 crores to the Uttarakhand state disaster response fund, the Haryana Directorate of Information and Public Relations said on Tuesday.

35 People Still Stuck in Tunnel, Recovered Two More Bodies: CM Rawat

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat on Tuesday said that about 35 people are stuck inside the tunnel near Tapovan. “We're trying to drill and make way via ropes to reach them. We have recovered two more bodies, the total death count is 28 so far,” he said.

He also added that the rescue team has managed to reach Malari Valley area through ropes and now necessary packages and rations can be sent easily.

CM Rawat Visits 12 Rescued Workers

CM Rawat on Tuesday visited 1st Battalion ITBP Joshimath Hospital to see the 12 workers who were rescued by the ITBP on Sunday from a tunnel near Tapovan. All of them are recovering, the ITBP said.

CM Rawat Conducts Aerial Survey of Affected Areas

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Tuesday morning conducted an aerial survey of areas affected due to the glacier disaster in Chamoli.

Overnight Clearing of Tapovan Tunnel

Clearing of debris/slush continued the whole night in order to clear the Tapovan tunnel and approximately 120 meters of the tunnel entrance stretch is now clear. ITBP personnel, who have been clearing the tunnel are waiting to enter as soon as any movement deep inside the tunnel is possible.

Rescue Operation Carried Out Overnight

“The operation was carried out the entire night and is under progress. A lot of debris has been removed. We have not been able to establish any contact till now,” Aparna Kumar, DIG Sector HQ, ITBP Dehradun told ANI on Tuesday morning.

Rescue Ops Continue

The rescue operation is still underway at Tapovan tunnel in Chamoli, Uttarakhand.

(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)

Published: 09 Feb 2021,08:35 AM IST

ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL FOR NEXT