Massive flood as glacier breaks off at Joshimath, around 150 labourers feared missing  

NE NEWS SERVICE
DEHRADUN/GOPESHWAR, FEB 7

A glacier broke off in Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Sunday, causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river and endangering the lives of people living along its banks. Massive destruction is feared.

NDRF की कुछ और टीमें दिल्ली से Airlift करके उत्तराखंड भेजी जा रही हैं। हम वहाँ की स्थिति को निरंतर मॉनिटर कर रहे हैं। https://t.co/BVFZJiHiWY

— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) February 7, 2021

More than 150 labourers working at the Rishi Ganga power project may have been directly affected, said State Disaster Response Force DIG Ridhim Aggarwal.

“Representatives of the power project have told me that they are not being able to contact around 150 of their workmen at the project site,” she said.

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 7, 2021

Though details are awaited, several districts, including Pauri, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Haridwar and Dehradun, are likely to be affected and have been put on high alert.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat appealed to people to not spread rumours through old flood videos.

Caused by an avalanche near Raini village in Joshimath
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Rishi Ganga power project damaged
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Several said to be trapped
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Possibility of flooding in the lower areas of Alaknanda
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People have been alerted in coastal areas

All details on @ndtv #Chamoli #Uttarakhand https://t.co/ei4mWyDqhH

— Sonal MehrotraKapoor (@Sonal_MK) February 7, 2021

He said all districts concerned have been alerted and people have been asked not to go near the Ganga.

Rawat cancelled all his programmes scheduled for the day. He is likely to visit Chamoli to take stock of the situation.

ITBP and NDRF teams rushed to flood-hit areas in Uttarakhand to undertake relief and rescue work, officials in New Delhi said.