News Analysis India

Tag: Chamoli Flash Floods

  • Uttarakhand floods: Kin of those trapped losing hope

    Express News Service
    TAPOVAN(UTTARAKHAND): “Bring back my brother, even if dead. I will pay you Rs 8 lakh,” erupted Sundar Silwal, when told by an official that he will get Rs 4 lakh as compensation if his 28-year-old brother, who is among those trapped in the tunnel at Tapovan Hydropower Project, died.

    Dozens of locals gathered at the site on Friday afternoon, agitated at the delay in rescue. The locals were stopped by police at around 200 meters from the tunnel. It’s been six days and some are losing hope of seeing their kin alive. “Ab pata nahi bache bhi honge ya nahi (God knows whether they are even alive or not?)” said Suraj Rao.

    ALSO READ: Women officials brave odds to make Chamoli rescue operation meaningful

    Angry at the delay, family members of those trapped alleged that the National Thermal Power Corporation authorities were not doing enough. “What will the army do until provided right technical assistance by NTPC?” said Rita Pant, whose brother is stuck inside. 

    The locals had angry exchanges with officials throughout the day and police detained at least seven persons, who were released later.  Trying to pacify the people, R P Ahirwar, project manager of the hydel power plant, said no effort was being spared.

    “I urge you all to understand that we are doing everything to save the men who are trapped but there are limitations. We cannot use 10 machines as you are suggesting.” Officials took a few locals near the tunnel to show them the rescue efforts, after which the gathering started to disperse. 

  • Did a lost nuclear device cause Chamoli flash floods? Decades-old suspicion comes back to haunt villagers

    Express News Service
    CHAMOLI: While experts are yet to pinpoint the cause of Chamoli flash floods and many are warning about climate change, the floods brought back fears of old tales related to a lost radioactive material in the Nanda Devi glaciers.

    As per local residents in and around village Raini, a ‘machine’ was installed on Nanda Devi mountains in 1965 which had a nuclear device within. 

    Kartik Singh (92), a resident of Raini village claims that he was part of the 1965 expedition to install the ‘machine’, says, “I used to work as a porter then. Some people asked me to carry a packed, concealed load. I agreed. We went to a place called ‘Camp IV’. Later, a blizzard hit us and we decided to leave the device and return to safety.”

    A mix of myths and rumours have filled Raini and adjacent villages after the flash floods. Many believe that the nuclear device caused the flash floods which wreaked havoc washing away two hydropower projects and killing many. Total 32 bodies have been found to date while 174 are missing.

    “The device is dangerous and may be the cause of these floods meting the snow,” added Singh. 

    In the year 2010, responding to an RTI query of an activist Gurvinder Singh Chadha which had total 7 questions related to the radioactive device in question, the Bhabha Atomic Research Center had replied, “This center has no information on the above. Hence, we are unable to provide any information under the RTI Act 2005.”

    Interestingly, one of the questions by Chadha included if American senator Richard Autier warned India about the nuclear device in 1965 and famous Russian scientist Arthur Compeleene also warned India saying that lakhs of people may be affected due to the radiation. 

    Chadha died last year. Dushyant Mainali, a practicing advocate in Uttarakhand Hugh Court and friend of the activist recalls, “He had filed RTI queries related to the device two times. He used to talk about this story often and had logical reasons to make us believe.”

    Many books have been written on the issue including one by Stephen Alter. The Mussoorie-based author has written about a secret operation in which a device was to be installed to monitor China which had conducted a nuclear test in 1962 in Xinjiang province. 

    Weighing around 56kg, including an 8-10ft-high antenna, two transceiver sets system, the remote sensing device which was supposed to keep track of any further nuclear tests by China after 1964 is believed to be installed by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America and Intelligence Bureau of India to spy on China. 

    ALSO READ: Chamoli disaste – Experts yet to ascertain what caused tragedy

    In the year 2018, state cabinet minister of Uttarakhand Satpal Maharaj had said that he had urged the Prime Minister to take action in this regard. 

    The radioactive material is said to be an alloy of Pu-238 with 18 percent Pu-239 which is considered the most effective combination to prolong the life span of the material and generate maximum energy. 

    After the team which went on the expedition returned to the spot in the year 1966, they could not find the device. The device is said to have a life of around 100 years out of which 45 are still left. However, many believe the story is too far from reality and even a myth. 

    Mohan Singh, another resident of Raini village who has taken part in many expeditions in Nanda Devi glaciers said, “I don’t think this flash flood is a result of any device. I don’t believe in this story. To me these are just rumours which started at some point in time and became a myth eventually.”

  • 10 bodies recovered, over 150 missing after glacier burst in Uttarakhand triggers flood

    Express News Service
    CHAMOLI: At least 10 people have died and 150 labourers are missing after 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.

    The state government has announced ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakh as financial help to the families and dependents of the deceased. 

    Chief Minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat said, “All our efforts are focused on reaching people and providing relief. Our brave forces are doing their job and we have support of the whole nation.”

    The disaster occurred at around 10 A.M. in the morning.

    Combined team of National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Indian Army and Indian Airforce have been pushed into the rescue, said the CM. More than 250 personnel have been deployed for the ongoing operations. 

    “Essential items, medicines choppers of Indian Army, Air Force and state government are on standby along with our brave personnel from state police, Indian Army, ITBP, NDRF, SDRF and others,” the CM added. 

    ITBP rescued 16 people who were trapped in a tunnel of a dam which is a part of a hydroproject.

    Many spots where the teams are working have muck and debris deposition over 35-40 meters leaving. The rescue personnel are using ropes to reach the spots. 

    A tunnel which is 250 meters is being dug in only 150 meters till the time of writing this report. 

    The response teams are also evacuating people in designated danger zone.

    The state government has already issued alert till Rishikesh and Haridwar due to expected rise in various rivers due to flooding by the lake burst. Parts of neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh have also been alerted due to possible rise in the levels of river Ganga as well as its tributaries. 

    In total, 17 villages have been completely cut off as five bridges connecting to those have been washed away in the disaster. 

    Out of the 17, residents of seven villages had migrated to lower altitudes for winters, said the officials. 

    Counting the losses, officials added that local shepherds along with 180 sheep and goats were engulfed by the floods. 

    Damages have been reported at Tapovan dam at Alaknanda river as well as 13.2 Megawatt Rishiganga hydropower project. Total 176 workers were working in both the projects. 

    To prevent the levels of Alaknanda river and others, flow of Bhagirathi river has been stopped by closing the gates of GVK dam in Srinagar and Virbhadra dam in Rishikesh. 

    Uttarakhand state police also issued advisory stating that danger level of various rivers will cross at Srinagar, Rishikesh, and Haridwar. “At Rishikesh, the water level may rise to 340.50 m at 20:00 hrs and Haridwar the water level may reach 294.00 m at 21:00 hrs,” said the advisory. 

    Chief Minister Rawat visited Tapovan and Raini village to review  the situation on the ground with the officials. 

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the CM and has assured every help.

    “Am constantly monitoring the unfortunate situation in Uttarakhand. India stands with Uttarakhand and nation prays for everyone’s safety there. Have been constantly speaking to senior authorities and getting updates on NDRF deployment, rescue work and relief operations, ” tweeted the Prime Minister. 

    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

    The CM told that the Prime Minister, the President of India, union Home Minister ans various other CMs including the Yogi Adityanath from Uttar Pradesh, Nitish Kumar from Bihar and many others called and offered help. 

    “Baba Ramdev and son of Mukesh Ambani, Anant Ambani also called to offer help,” said the CM.  

    मैं स्वयं घटनास्थल के लिए रवाना हो रहा हूँ – मेरी सभी से विनती है कि कृपया कोई भी पुराने video share कर panic ना फैलाएँ। स्थिति से निपटने के सभी ज़रूरी कदम उठा लिए गए हैं । आप सभी धैर्य बनाए रखें।
    — Trivendra Singh Rawat (@tsrawatbjp) February 7, 2021

  • Chamoli: Massive flood in Dhauliganga river, houses destroyed after avalanche

    By ANI
    CHAMOLI: A massive flood has been reported in Dhauliganga river, following an avalanche near Rishiganga Power Project in Chamoli district on Sunday.

    “Some water bodies flooded and destroyed many river bank-side houses due to cloudburst or breaching of the reservoir. Casualties are feared and hundreds of ITBP personnel rushed for rescue,” ITBP officials said.

    Chamoli district magistrate has also instructed officials to evacuate people living in villages on the bank of the Dhauliganga River.

    ALSO READ | Uttarakhand: Massive flash flood as glacier breaks off at Joshimath, 150 labourers missing

    The Rishiganga Power Project was damaged due to a breach of the glacier at Raini village in the Tapovan area of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, police said.

    Chamoli police have advised the people living on the bank of the Alaknanda River to move to safe places at the earliest.

    Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said that two teams of ITBP have reached the spot and three NDRF teams have been rushed from Dehradun.

    ALSO READ | High alert in UP as glacier breaks off in neighbouring Uttarakhand

    “Three additional teams will reach there with help of IAF chopper till evening. SDRF and local administration already on spot,” Rai told ANI.

    “If you are stranded in affected areas and you need any help. Please contact Disaster Operations Center number 1070 or 9557444486,” Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat informed.

    All the concerned districts have been alerted in the wake of the incident. Officers and employees of Chamoli District Administration and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have reached the spot.

    A warning has been issued for people to avoid going to the banks of the Ganga river.

  • High alert in UP as glacier breaks off in neighbouring Uttarakhand

    By PTI
    LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday asked authorities in all districts of the state on the banks of the Ganga river to be on a high alert and continuously monitor the water level after a glacier broke off in Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.

    The disaster caused a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river in Uttarakhand and endangering the lives of people living along its banks.

    ALSO READ | Uttarakhand: Massive flash flood as glacier breaks off at Joshimath, 150 labourers missing

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

    In a disaster alert issued here on Sunday to all the district magistrates in UP, the Relief Commissioner said in a statement, “Report of breaking of a part of Nandadevi Glacier in Uttarakhand has been received. The districts on the Ganga river (banks) need to be on a high alert and the monitoring of water level needs to be done 24×7. If required, the people need to be evacuated.”

    The NDRF, SDRF and PAC Flood Company are been given instructions to be on the highest alert, the statement added.