At least 50 people are feared dead or washed away as a massive glacier receded in Reni village of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Sunday, leaving a trail of destruction in the area.
Reports received here said that the Rishiganga Power Project has been completely damaged as the water level in the Alaknanda river rose several feet due to flash floods caused by the breaking of the glacier.
Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar said that over 50 people who were working at the Rishiganga power project are feared to have been washed away or dead. “People who have been caught in the silt are being rescued. Teams of police and SDRF have reached the spot. The water has reached Karanprayag. We are trying our level best that there is no further loss of life,” Mr Kumar said.
Confirming the disaster, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that he has rushed to the spot. “I request people to not to spread the rumours of the disaster by sharing some old related videos,” the CM said.
Many houses and hutments located along the river were washed away by the gushing river water that uprooted hundreds of trees that came in its way.
A National Disaster Management Team (NDRF) has reached the spot and Chamoli police has issued an alert for people to stay away from all the riparian areas of Uttarakhand.
Urging people to remain calm, Mr Rawat said the government is taking all necessary steps and people are being evacuated from all flood-hit areas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to CM Rawat, DG ITBP and DG NDRF. UNI