Glacier Break Leading Massive Flooding In Uttarakhand’s Chamoli
(This News Article Is Originally Posted on India Today by Jitendra Bahadur Singh)
Massive flooding resulted in river Dhauli Ganga, Joshimath in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on Sunday after reports of a glacier breach in the area. The massive flooding has also damaged the Rishiganga Power Project in Tapovan area.
1.15 pm: Alert for UP districts on Ganga riverbanks
UP Relief Commissioner has issued a notice to all District Magistrates of the state issuing a ‘Disaster Alert’. Districts which lie on the Ganga riverbanks have been put on alert.
“Reports of the breaking of a part of Nandadevi Glacier in Uttarakhand has been received. The districts on the Ganga river need to be on high alert and continuous monitoring of water level needs to be done 24×7. If required, people should to be evacuated and taken to a safe place. NDRF, SDRF and PAC Flood Company are being given instructions to be on the highest alert. Please coordinate locally also,” the notice said.
1.10 pm: Two teams of ITBP have reached the spot, three NDRF teams have been rushed from Dehradun and 3 additional teams will reach there with help of IAF chopper by evening. SDRF & local administration is already at the spot, “MoS Home Nityanand Rai told ANI on massive flood in Dhauliganga.
1 pm: Joshimath-Malari bridge washed away in floods.
The Joshimath-Malari bridge has been washed away due to the flooding in Dhauli Ganga river. This bridge was used by Indian Army personnel to go to the border areas.
12.50 pm: Ministry of Home Affairs monitoring situation.
The ITBP is in touch with Ministry of Home Affairs, sources said. A large team has departed from the Regional Response Center of ITBP, Gauchar.
A mountaineering team of the ITBP also immediately dispatched the personnel specializing in building bridges. 200 personnel have already been sent by ITBP from Joshimath.
12.45 pm: Uttarakhand CM launches helpline for those stuck in affected areas.
“If you are stuck in the affected area, if you need any kind of help, please contact Disaster Operations Center number 1070 or 9557444486. Please do not spread rumors from old videos about the incident,” tweeted the CM
12.30 pm: CM Trivendra Singh Rawat tweeted, “There is a possibility of damage to the Rishiganga project in Rini village of Chamoli due to heavy rains and sudden water. There is also a possibility of flooding in the lower areas of Alaknanda due to sudden arrival in the river. People have been alerted in coastal areas. People settled along the river are being removed from the area.”
“As a precaution, the flow of Bhagirathi river has been stopped. To prevent the flow of water of Alaknanda, Srinagar Dam and Rishikesh Dam have been evacuated. SDRF is on alert. I request you not to spread rumors. Pay attention to official authentic information only. I am leaving for the scene mysel,” he added.
Chamoli Police has advised people living on the banks of river Alaknanda to move to safe place at the earliest. Rescue operations are also on in Tapovan area.
Sources say several casualties are feared near Reni village which is 26 kilometers from Joshimath area. Hundreds of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) men rushed for rescue.
CM Trivendra Singh Rawat has also taken stock of the situation. He tweeted, “A disaster has been reported from Chamoli district. The district administration, police department and disaster management have been ordered to deal with this disaster. Do not pay attention to any kind of rumors. The government is taking all necessary steps.”
News agency ANI reported that the Chamoli district magistrate has instructed officials to evacuate people living in villages on the bank of Dhauliganga river. The district magistrate and the superintendent of police have left for the spot.
Meanwhile, Srinagar, Hardwar and Rishikesh areas of Uttarakhand have been put on alert as well. The Srinagar dam has been evacuated.
Visuals shared by Twitter users showed massive flooding in the rivers. Extensive damage to nearby villages is expected.
