Uttarakhand disaster: The NDRF, state authorities, the Army and the IAF are involved in the rescue efforts.
New Delhi:
14 people died and more than 170 are still missing, after a part of a glacier erupted in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on Sunday, causing an avalanche and a deluge in the Alaknanda river system that washed away hydroelectric plants and five bridges. The glacier’s outbreak also washed away roads and forced authorities to evacuate villages. National and state disaster response teams have been deployed, as well as ITBP teams. The Army has sent six columns and the Navy seven dive teams.
Here are the 10 latest developments on the Uttarakhand glacier disaster:
-
170 people, 148 employed at the NTPC plant and 22 in Rishiganga, remain missing. Around thirty more are trapped in a tunnel, reportedly around 2.5 km long, and rescue teams worked through the night to save them. The efforts continue. Aside from the terrain and the low temperature, the mud and debris in the tunnel present a great challenge for rescuers.
-
An Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) team rescued twelve people trapped in a tunnel under construction.
-
This morning, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) removed debris and mud from the tunnel near the Tapovan Dam in Chamoli district as part of the rescue efforts. Members of the SDRF had to wait for the level of a river to drop to begin rescue operations for people stranded in the tunnel.
-
“Our team arrived at 3 am. Rescue operations have begun. We hope for the best and we are doing our best. We are using the latest and greatest of equipment. The terrain is very rugged and the temperature has dropped below zero ( In such conditions, it is difficult to conduct rescue operations. But our team is doing everything possible, “NDRF commander Praveen Kumar Tiwary told NDTV by phone.
-
A preliminary study of the damage caused by glacier breakage and flooding at the Tapovan Vishnugad hydroelectric power station shows that the dam has been “completely washed away,” Indian Air Force sources said on Sunday. The dam is located at the confluence of the Dhauliganga and Rishiganga rivers, about 280 km east of the state capital, Dehradun.
-
The bridges that were razed connected narrow roads in the hills with the 13 villages. Officials said arrangements are being made to drop food packages to villages.
-
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawa, who visited Chamoli district on Sunday, announced compensation of Rs. 4 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster. An extra Rs. 2 lakh will be given from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, with Rs. 50,000 for those with serious injuries.
-
“India supports Uttarakhand and the nation prays for everyone’s safety.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Sunday. He said he spoke to Rawat and is “constantly monitoring the situation.” Interior Minister Amit Shah also tweeted; he said the Modi government stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Uttarakhand.
-
The glacier disaster is a sad reminder of the monsoon floods in Uttarakhand in 2013, which killed 6,000 people and led to requests for review of development projects in the state, particularly in isolated areas such as those around the Rishi Dam. Bargain.
-
The increased pace of development in the region has also increased fears about the consequences of deforestation and other environmental problems.
.
