Tag: Rishiganga Power Project

  • 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.