Disaster strikes in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, due to glacier burst

Chamoli: – Disaster has struck due to glacier burst in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Along with two hydroelectric projects, the military’s bridge to reach the China border has been washed away. 125 workers from the hydroelectric projects are missing. Ten bodies have been found till now. Water levels in Dhauliganga, Rishiganga and Alaknanda rivers have risen. This has refreshed the memories of the horrible floods in Uttarakhand, seven years ago. The estimates regarding casualties and losses caused by the disaster have not been released. The army, air force, and NDRF teams are carrying out a massive rescue operation in the area.

On Sunday, in the morning, the Nandadevi glacier developed a huge crack. The glacier broke down, and a huge avalanche started from the mountain top. Everything that came in the way of this avalanche was washed away. The Tapovan-Vishnugad and Rishiganga hydroelectric projects also were washed away in the avalanche. The work was being carried out on the Rishiganga hydroelectric project. The houses of the workers also were located in the same area. The homes also were washed away. Many workers are missing. Some of the workers are trapped in the tunnels, and as the tunnels are filled with mud, it has become challenging to rescue these workers. The army, ITBP and NDRF soldiers are desperately trying to save these trapped workers.

Many villages lying on the course of the avalanche have suffered huge losses, and many houses have been wiped out by the flow. The details are still not available. The water level in the tributaries of Ganga has increased in the region. This has created an emergency on the river banks. Upon receiving the information regarding the breaking of the glacier, the Uttarakhand government immediately issued warnings to the villages near river banks and advised them to reach higher places. As the rescue work was started well in time, there were minimal losses in the areas on river banks.

There had been a similar avalanche in 2013 in Uttarakhand, and six thousand people had been killed. Disaster had struck in 5,000 villages on the river banks. It is claimed that the expeditious actions taken this time helped avert huge losses. It is being said that the speed and level of water are reducing and the threat has been averted.

Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed their condolences over the disaster. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that all the possible aid is being provided to Uttarakhand to tide over the crisis.