NEW DELHI, Feb 7 (NNN-PTI) – Around 150 people have gone missing, in India’s northern hilly state of Uttarakhand, after a huge glacier bursts, resulting in a heavy flood-like situation in the affected areas today, local media quoted state’s Chief Secretary, Om Prakash, as saying.
Most of the people missing are said to be labourers, working at the Rishiganga power project in the state, and local residents, according to private news agency, Asian News International.
The Indian Navy and Army have been put on alert to carry out relief and rescue work in the affected areas.
The disaster reportedly struck at around 10:00 a.m. (Indian Standard Time) today.
“Parts of the Rishiganga power project have been damaged, as a result of the glacier burst,” confirmed Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat, while speaking to local media.
Declining to confirm the number of human casualties in the tragedy, Rawat said, “I have briefed Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Home Minister (Internal Security), Amit Shah, about the natural disaster. A high alert has been sounded in the affected areas.”
“(I) 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,” tweeted Modi.
Modi is currently touring the north-eastern state of Assam. “He took stock of the rescue and relief work underway. Authorities are working to provide all possible support to the affected,” said a tweet by the Prime Minister’s Office.
As an aftermath of the disaster, the heavy flood-like situation has emerged in the affected areas, and efforts are being made to stop the water flow into local rivers and tributaries, in the downstream areas.
According to the Director-General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), S.N. Pradhan, a hydropower project has been damaged in the natural tragedy.
“Four rescue and relief teams of the NDRF are being flown to the area from Delhi. The teams will first land in Uttarakhand capital, Dehradun, from where they will be further airlifted to the affected areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, the federal home ministry (internal security) is keeping a continuous watch over the situation.– NNN-PTI
