NEW DELHI, Feb 8 (NNN-PTI) – Authorities in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, issued directions asking all districts along the banks of the River Ganga in the state, to be on high alert.
The directions were issued hours after a glacier crashed into a dam and triggered a huge flood in the neighboring Uttarakhand state.
Around 150 people have been reported missing in the tragedy, while 10 bodies have been recovered from the areas affected by the glacier burst.
“Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, instructed concerned departments, officers and State Disaster Response Force, to be on high alert, in view of the circumstances arising out of the breach of the dam in Uttarakhand,” a government spokesman said. “The chief minister also instructed district collectors and superintendents of police of all the districts situated on the banks of the Ganges, to remain vigilant.”
The disaster struck at around 10.00 hours (Indian Standard Time) yesterday, and gravely affected two power projects, where around 120 workers were on duty.
Around 20 workers are still stuck inside a tunnel, in one of the two power projects, and efforts are being made to rescue them, local media reports quoted a security personnel as saying.
Earlier, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary, Om Prakash, confirmed that around 150 people had gone missing, as they were feared to have been swept away in flash floods, following the glacier burst.
Most of the people missing are said to be labourers working at the Rishiganga power project, and local residents.
Indian President, Ram Nath Kovind, expressed his worries at the glacier burst and prayed for the well-being and safety of the people.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy and Army have been put on alert, to carry out relief and rescue work in the affected areas.
The Director-General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), S.N. Pradhan, said, four rescue and relief teams of the NDRF were 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 added.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is also personally monitoring the situation. “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,” Modi tweeted.– NNN-PTI
