Flash flood in Uttarakhand's Chamoli after glacier breaks off; 150 labourers feared missing, state govt on high alert

A section of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off in the Joshimath area of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district. It has caused massive flooding in the Dhauliganga and Alaknanda rivers, reports said on Sunday.

Around 150 labourers working at the Rishi Ganga power project are feared missing, PTI quoted 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," she said.

However, there are no reports of casualties yet.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.

Several districts, including Pauri, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Haridwar, and Dehradun, have been put on high alert. NDTV reported that the state government has ordered the emergency evacuation of people in the immediate areas.

No flood situation anywhere currently: CM

Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, who said he will visit the affected site later on Sunday, tweeted at 1.21 pm on Sunday that the level of water in the Alaknand river is decreasing.

"The reassuring news is that the flow of Alaknanda River beyond Nandprayag has become normal. The water level of the river is now 1 meter above normal but the flow is decreasing. The state chief secretary, disaster secretary, police officer and all my team are constantly monitoring the situation in the disaster control room," he said.

Rawat also appealed to people to refrain from spreading rumours with old flood videos. "I am visiting the site myself. I request everyone not to spread panic by sharing any old videos. All necessary steps have been taken to deal with the situation," he tweeted.

At 2.42 pm, Rawat posted an update saying,

India stands with Uttarakhand, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah said that they are monitoring the situation.

Shah said that teams of the NDRF, SDRF, and ITBP will work on "war footing" to rescue affected people.

Soon after the incident, the Chamoli Police tweeted saying, "The public is informed that the Rishiganga power project has been damaged due to glaciers in the Tapovan Raini area, which has caused the river's water level to rise. The people living along the Alaknanda River are warned to leave the area."

The Uttar Pradesh government also issued a high alert for areas along the Ganga river. The government has asked authorities in all districts on the banks of the Ganga to continuously monitor the water level.

In a disaster alert issued to all the district magistrates in Uttar Pradesh, the Relief Commissioner said in a statement, "Report of breaking of a part of Nandadevi Glacier in Uttarakhand has been received. The districts on the Ganga river (banks) need to be on a high alert and the monitoring of water level needs to be done 24 7. If required, people need to be evacuated."

With inputs from PTI

Also See: UBSE UK Board Exam 2021: Over 2 lakh students to appear for exams at 1,347 centres

SC refuses to transfer to itself petitions in Allahabad HC challenging UP law on religious conversions

No 'chakka jam' programmes to be held in Delhi, UP and Uttarakhand; farmers' unions ask protesters to remain peaceful

Read more on India by Firstpost.