Glacier burst: Avalanche, floods wreak havoc in Uttarakhand, several feared dead - See pics

Several people are feared dead after a glacier burst in Uttarakhand's Joshimath on Sunday morning (February 7, 2021).

 

The glacier crashed into a dam after breaking that resulted in floods forcing the evacuation of villages downstream.

 

"The actual number has not been confirmed yet but 100 to 150 people were feared dead," said Om Prakash, chief secretary of Uttarakhand.

As per the latest reports, ITBP personnel have rescued all 16 people who were trapped in the tunnel near Tapovan in Chamoli.

PM Narendra Modi has approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the avalanche caused by a Glacier breach in Chamoli, Uttarakhand.

"Rs 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured," said PMO.

The MeT department released a weather update for Uttarakhand and said that dry weather is likely to prevail over Uttarakhand on February 7 and 8. However, under the influence of a Western Disturbance, light rainfall/snowfall is likely over the northern part of Uttarakhand during the evening of February 9 to forenoon of February 10.

 

The glacier broke off in Joshimath in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district and resulted in causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river.

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat also inspected the flood-hit areas in Dhaliganga and Alaknanda valleys.

 

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said that 600 personnel from the Indian Army and ITBP are on standby for dealing with any emerging situation.  

 

CM Rawat said that medical teams have been rushed to the affected site and a 30-bed hospital has been kept ready at Joshimath for dealing with this emergency.

 

"Hospitals in Srinagar, Rishikesh, Jollygrant and Dehradun are on standby. We are doing our best to deal with this disaster.," CM said.