New Delhi: After a massive glacier broke off at Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Sunday, leading to flash flood in the Dhauli Ganga river and causing large-scale devastation in the upper reaches of the ecologically fragile Himalayas. Total three bodies have been recovered so far and sixteen labourers were rescued from a tunnel of Tapovan-Vishnugad hydel project after they were trapped there due to flash floods.
At present, over 150 labourers working in the power project are feared dead, officials said. Though there were few details available immediately, the labourers working at the Rishi Ganga power project may have been directly affected, said State Disaster Response Force DIG Ridhim Aggarwal.
Meanwhile, after taking stock of the situation at the site and holding a meeting with disaster management team comprising of state officials and that from Army and ITBP, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakhs each to the kin of the deceased.
Homes along the way were swept away as the waters rushed down the mountainsides in a raging torrent. There were fears of damage in human settlements downstream. Many villages were evacuated and people taken to safer areas.
Several districts, including Pauri, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Haridwar and Dehradun, are likely to be affected and have been put on high alert.
Let’s have a look at some pictures that show extent of the massive glacier burst:
Damaged dam of the Rishi Ganga Power Project, after a glacier broke off in Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. More than 150 labourers working at the Rishi Ganga power project may have been directly affected. (PTI Photo)
Damaged Dhauliganga hydropower project at Reni village, after a glacier broke off in Joshimath causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river, in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. (PTI Photo)
Locals inspect the site near damaged Dhauliganga hydropower project at Reni village, after a glacier broke off in Joshimath causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river, in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. (PTI Photo)
A labourer who was recued by ITBP personnel from the Tapovan Tunnel, after a glacier broke off in Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. (PTI Photo)
ITBP personnel carry out search and rescue operation at Tapovan Tunnel, after a glacier broke off in Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. More than 150 labourers working at the Rishi Ganga power project may have been directly affected. (PTI Photo)