Floods at Uttarakhand due to glacier burst

The calamity of a flood has taken place at Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, where the water level in Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers all of a sudden surged, after an avalanche near Rishiganga Power Project at Raini village on 7th February, 2021. Almost 150 people are reported dead.

The Chamoli district magistrate has ordered officials to evacuate people living in villages on the bank of the Dhauliganga river, news agency ANI reported.

The Uttarakhand police reported that the water level at Srinagar may rise to 536.00 m at 16:00 hrs. at Rishikesh the water Level may rise to 340.50 m at 20:00 hrs and Haridwar the Water Level May Reach 294.00 m at 21:00 hrs. (The Danger level will cross at Srinagar, Rishikesh and Haridwar).

Updates:

  • Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said, “It is a kind of tragedy which is very shocking. It’s a natural disaster. Home Minister has assured that every help the Uttarakhand government would need will be extended. There shall not be any hesitation on that.”
  • Vivek Pandey, ITBP Spokesperson, said, “Over 200 jawans are on the job and working in collaboration with the local administration. One team is on the spot to assess the situation. Another team is deployed near Joshimath to raise awareness and evacuate people. The situation is under control,.”
  • A meeting is planned at the Cabinet Secretariat on relief operations in Uttarakhand. DGs and Home Ministry officials will reportedly join the meeting.
  • PM Narendra Modi: “Am constantly monitoring the unfortunate situation in Uttarakhand. India stands with Uttarakhand and the nation prays for everyone’s safety there. Have been continuously speaking to senior authorities and getting updates on NDRF deployment, rescue work and relief operations.”
  • Three helicopters, including two Mi-17 and one ALH Dhruv chopper of the Indian Air Force, have been stationed in Dehradun and nearby areas for helping in rescue operations in flood-affected areas. More aircraft will be deployed as per the requirement on ground, the IAF officials have said.
  • Over 150 labourers working at the Rishi Ganga power project may have been directly affected, reported news agency PTI quoting State Disaster Response Force DIG Ridhim Aggarwal as saying. “Representatives of the power project have told me that they are not being able to contact around 150 of their workmen at the project site,” Aggarwal added.
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Rawat and ITBP DG SS Deswal as well to take stock of the situation in Uttarakhand. Shah also spoke to NDRF DG SN Pradhan and Disaster Management officials.
  • 100 to 150 casualties are feared in the flash flood in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary OM Prakash tells ANI.
  • Hundreds of ITBP personnel are speaking to the Ministry of Home Affairs, according to reports. A large team has left from the Regional Response Center of ITBP, Gauchar.
  • Srinagar, Hardwar and Rishikesh have been put on alert as well. Rafting has been halted in Rishikesh. The Srinagar dam has been evacuated.
  • Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat tweeted saying: “A disaster has been reported from Chamoli district. The district administration, police and disaster management departments have been directed to deal with the situation. Do not pay attention to any kind of rumours. Govt is taking all necessary steps.”
  • Rawat has also shared helpline numbers for people locked in the affected area. “If you are stuck in the affected area, if you need any kind of help, please contact Disaster Operations Center number 1070 or 9557444486,” the Uttarakhand CM tweeted.