An avalanche was reported in Uttarakhand’s Raini village in Tapovan area on Sunday. It was caused after a part of a glacier broke at Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.
The avalanche was soon followed by a massive rise of water levels in the Dhauliganga river, which resulted in several houses being destroyed in the area.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to assure one and all in Uttarakhand and said that he was constantly monitoring the situation.
“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,” Modi tweeted.
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.
Home Minister Amit Shah also took stock of the situation as he assured the Uttarakhand chief minister of all possible help.
“The Central govt is constantly monitoring situation in Uttarakhand. Four NDRF teams are being airlifted to Dehradun, to reach Joshimath,” Amit Shah said.
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 and misinformation about the incident.
“Alaknanda water level is 1 metre above normal but its flow is gradually reducing,” Rawat said.
He further said all district officials 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.
