Uttarakhand February 8 : Damaged Dhauliganga hydropower project after a glacier broke off in Joshimath causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
At least 15 people lost their lives and 170 are still missing after a glacier broke at Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district triggered massive flooding of the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers on Sunday, news agency ANI reported. Many villages were evacuated as floods swept away five bridges, damaged homes and the nearby NTPC power plant, and washed away a hydropower project near Rishiganga. National and state disaster response teams along with teams from the ITBP are engaged in the rescue operations.
The Army has sent six columns and the Navy seven diving teams.
Rescue operation underway in 2.5 km long tunnel
Rescue operation underway in 2.5 km long tunnel. Problem lies with debris which’s gradually being cleared. 27 people alive,11 dead,153 missing. Out of 153, 40-50 are stuck in tunnel. There’s a possibility of remaining people being washed away in Uttarakhand: NDRF DG SN Pradhan.
An estimated 50-100 personnel working at a power project in Tapovan-Reni area of Uttarakhand are missing following which search and rescue operations have been launched, Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar said on Sunday after a glacier broke leading to a flash flood in Chamoli district.
Kumar told PTI that at least two bodies have been recovered, while some injured have been rescued after state disaster response forces reached the affected areas.
He said the power project at Tapovan-Reni has been swept away completely.
‘The situation is under control now.
There is a dam at Srinagar and it has contained the flow. The power project has taken the damage.’
‘Our preliminary estimate is that 50-100 people who were working in and around the power project are missing,’ the state police chief said.
The teams had reached the spot very quickly from Joshimath (about 20 minutes distance) and they rescued some injured while two bodies were also found, he said.
‘We will be able to give you a clear picture by the evening,’ Kumar said.