At least 26 people have been confirmed dead and close to 200 are reported to be missing after a ‘glacier break’ triggered flash floods in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Sunday, 7 February.
More than 30 people are trapped in one of the tunnels that were hit by the floods. “A joint team of NDRF, SDRF and the army is conducting a rescue operation. The team has reached the 130-metre mark in the Tapovan tunnel. It may take 2-3 hours to reach the T-point. Efforts are underway to safely rescue those who are stuck in the tunnel,” Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat was quoted as saying by ANI.
Rawat visited Chamoli district on Monday to assess the situation post the disaster. Speaking to the media earlier, he gave assurance of the rescue work and said that a rapid supply of machines and other infrastructure is constantly coming in.
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- At least 12 people who were trapped in a tunnel after it was blocked, following the breach, were rescued by the ITBP
- Around 13 villages have been cut off after a bridge collapsed due to the ‘glacier burst’. Forces are providing assistance to these villages
- The breach had triggered massive flooding along Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers
- PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah took stock of the rescue and relief operations that are underway
- Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat has asked those stuck in affected areas or those in need of help to call on 1070 or 9557444486
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26 Bodies Recovered, 197 Still Missing: Uttarakhand Authorities
Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar said on Monday that 26 bodies have been recovered so far in the aftermath of the floods in Chamoli district triggered by a 'glacier break'.
As many as 197 people are still missing, as per the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Centre.
Rs 20 Crore Released from SDRF for Uttarakhand Relief Operations
Uttarkhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat on Monday conducted a review meeting on the disaster relief operations following the glacier burst incident. releasing Rs 20 crores from State Disaster Response Fund for the operations, his office said.
Meanwhile, PM Modi, BJP President JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah interacted with Uttarakhands MPs and discussed the relief efforts and the future course of action, ANI reported.
Comprehensive Analysis Being Undertaken to Find Cause of Disaster: CM Rawat
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Monday told PTI that comprehensive analysis is being undertaken to find the cause of the disaster that struck the state on Sunday and build a plan to avert any future tragedy.
The breaking of a glacier seems to have caused the Chamoli tragedy and experts from DRDO, ISRO and other agencies are being roped in, Rawat said, adding that ration kits are being provided by the state government to those displaced from their homes.
The economic loss will be ascertained in due course, with the priority right now being to save lives and rehabilitate the displaced people, the CM further told PTI.
13 Villages Cut Off After Bridge Collapse, Assistance Being Provided Through Sorties
Around 13 villages have been cut off after a bridge collapsed in Raini village due to the 'glacier burst', ITBP ADG Manoj Rawat reportedly said on Monday.
Forces are providing assistance to these villages, with at least five sorties carrying relief material having been sent, reported ANI.