Uttarakhand Disaster: The NDRF, state authorities, Army and IAF are involved in the rescue efforts.
18 people have died and over 200 are still missing after a glacial break in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district triggered an avalanche and massive flooding of the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers on Sunday morning, forcing the evacuation of thousands, and damaging both houses and the nearby Rishiganga and NTPC power projects. The burst glacier also swept away roads and forced authorities to evacuate villages. National and state disaster response teams have been deployed, as have teams from the ITBP. The Army has sent six columns and the Navy seven diving teams.
170 people - 148 employed at the NTPC plant and 22 at Rishiganga - are still missing. Around thirty others are trapped in a tunnel, reportedly around 2.5 km long, and rescue teams worked through the night to save them. Efforts are still on. Apart from the terrain and Latest News Live Updatesthe low temperature, mud and debris in the tunnel is posing a major challenge for the rescuers.
Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 tally of cases rose to 1,08,38,194 with 11,831 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries surged to 1,05,34,505, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The death count increased to 1,55,080 with 84 daily new fatalities, the data showed.
Here are the Latest News Live Updates:
Not Against Reforms, But 3 Laws Must Be Repealed: Sharad Pawar's PartyNCP's national spokesperson Nawab Malik on Monday issued a rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks in the parliament that party leader Sharad Pawar had earlier supported the farm reforms.
Mr Malik said that NCP was not against reforms, but demanded a repeal of the three contentious agri marketing laws.
Citing Sharad Pawar's support for agriculture reforms when he was agriculture minister, PM Modi said in Rajya Sabha, "Those taking a U-turn will perhaps agree with him (ex-PM Manmohan Singh)...Whether they were able to do it or not, but everyone has advocated that it should be done".
Countering the PM, Mr Malik said in a video statement that Mr Pawar had tried to build consensus for a model act when he was agriculture minister (in the Congress-led UPA government from 2004 to 2014).
''Informal'' School By Farmers' At Delhi's Singhu Border Resumes After 2-WeekA makeshift ''informal'' school at Delhi's Singhu border, where farmers have been protesting the new agri laws, has resumed after a two-week break with lesser children, owing to the tense situation following the tractor parade violence on Republic Day.
A group of farmers from Punjab's Anandpur Sahib had in December started the school in a makeshift tent for school going children who had accompanied their parents to the Singhu border protest site and those living in the slums nearby.
Pioneered by writer Bir Singh and advocate Dinesh Chaddha, the temporary school is part of the multiple ''sewa'' practices being offered at the protest site.
Farmers' Protest Features In Advertisement In California During Super BowlA 40-second commercial on the farmers' protest in India was played in California during this year's Super Bowl, an annual football championship watched by millions of people across America.
The commercial begins with a quote of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr - "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." It also features City of Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer who says in the commercial that "we want you to know - our brothers and sisters in India - that we stand with you."
The commercial, which was aired only in the Fresno county area and not nationally, was posted on social media with several users on Twitter tweeting the commercial. It also mentions that singer Rihanna had tweeted about the farmers' protest in India.
Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, have been camping at several Delhi border points since November last year, demanding the government to repeal the three farm laws and legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for their crops.
Scientists Ponder Reasons For Uttarakhand Floods
Global warming or maybe a Western disturbance bringing fresh snow that melted could have triggered the inundation in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, experts said on Monday as they scrambled to understand the reasons for the avalanche and floods that wreaked havoc in the upper reaches of the Himalayas.
The Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation is investigating the exact reason for the flooding but there are no clear answers yet for a glacier to have melted in the winter.
Punjab Extends Time Limit For Health Workers To Get First Shot Of Covid Vaccine
The Punjab government extended on Monday the time limit for the healthcare workers to get their first shot of coronavirus vaccine from February 12 to 19.
This was decided at a meeting of the state steering committee for COVID-19 vaccination that was chaired by the Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, according to a government release.
It was decided that the first dose of vaccine, which was to be provided to healthcare workers till Friday, will now be given up till February 19. Those who fail to opt for vaccination by then will be vaccinated with the general population and may not get free vaccination on priority, as per the statement.
The vaccination of frontline workers in the second phase will be completed by the first week of March, it said.
Vaccination For 3.31 Lakh Frontline Workers Begins In Madhya Pradesh
A COVID-19 vaccination drive for over 3.31 lakh frontline workers began across 825 centres in Madhya Pradesh on Monday, with a state minister informing that doses would be administered four days a week.
Madhya Pradesh health minister Prabhuram Choudhary, who inspected the site to check arrangements, said the frontline workers who will be covered during this drive include police and revenue department staff.
He said 3.31 lakh frontline workers have registered for the vaccine, and the drive will take place four days a week.
India Becomes Fastest Country To Vaccinate 6 Million People: Health Ministry
China Conveys Condolences To Families Of Uttarakhand Disaster Victims
China on Monday conveyed its condolences and sympathy to the families of the bereaved and the injured in the glacier burst in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district.
A portion of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Sunday, triggering an avalanche and a deluge in the Alaknanda river system that washed away hydroelectric stations, leaving at 11 people dead and over 200 missing who are feared dead.
"We have noted that northern India had a massive flood. We want to express our condolences to the victims and sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a media briefing.
"Priority Is To Rescue Everyone": Uttarakhand Chief MinisterUttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat says: "We have full faith till the time we rescue everyone."
"Through mapping, we can give early warning to prevent such incidents," he adds. "Our priority is to rescue everyone."
Efforts Underway To Safely Rescue Those Stuck In The Tunnel: Uttarakhand Chief Minister
A hanging glacier broke away from main glacier: OfficialDirector of Defence Geo-Informatics Research Establishment, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Dr LK Sinha said: "Our team did an aerial survey of the glacier where incident took place in Chamoli. Prima facie it looks that a hanging glacier broke away from the main glacier and came down in the narrow valley."
Glacial Calving, Climate Change: What Led To The Uttarakhand Disaster?
What caused the devastating flash flood in Uttarakhand on Sunday, that has killed 18 people and left over 200 missing in the hill state? While experts say it is too early to point out what caused the disaster, different theories have emerged, from the incident being a "glacial lake outburst flood" to an avalanche, leading to debris falling in the river. Environmentalists have blamed the disaster on the rapid pace of development in the region and on climate change.
Read Here We will monitor glaciers through remote monitoring or by setting up posts nearby. If people are alerted in advance then many lives can be saved: Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy, RK Singh.
Union Minister RK Singh reaches Joshimath to take stock of the situation in the wake of the flash floods that hit Chamoli yesterday.
The workers who are missing are most probably from eastern UP and Bihar. I have been contacted in this regard that 30 of these people (missing) are from Lakhimpur Kheri (UP): Ashok Kumar, DGP.
The mouth of the Longer tunnel cleared after tireless efforts of Indian Army personnel.
Rescue Operation Underway In 2.5 Km Long Tunnel
Relief materials have been sent to flood infected villages tweets Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat.
ITBP personnel on the rescue mission at Tunnel in Tapovan, Chamoli, Joshimath.
Students of a private school in Jammu offered special prayers for those who lost their lives in the Uttarakhand glacier burst and also prayed for the safety of others who still remain to be rescued, on Monday.
Rescue Operation Underway In Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand's Tapovan Dam "Completely Washed Off", Shows Initial Survey
An early survey of the damage caused by the glacier break and flood to Uttarakhand's Tapovan Vishnugad hydropower plant shows the dam has been "completely washed off", Indian Air Force sources said on Sunday.
Read Here Team Of Scientists In Uttarakhand For Surveillance After Glacier Burst
A team of scientists, flown to Dehradun after the glacier burst in Uttarakhand, left for Joshimath area on Monday for surveillance and reconnaissance. The scientists, belonging to the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), were flown to the Uttarakhand capital on Sunday night.
It's a very difficult situation, but ITBP successfully rescued people from 1st tunnel and now they're working on 2nd tunnel which is approx 3 km long. NDRF and the military are also on it. By afternoon we can expect some positive results: Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in Uttarakhand.
Latest Pics Of Uttarakhand Glacier Disaster
Fourteen people have been killed and 170 are still missing after a portion of Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Tapovan area of Joshimath in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, triggering massive flooding of the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers on Sunday morning.
See Pics India Set To Fulfil World's 70% COVID-19 Vaccine Needs: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said India is set to fulfil 70 per cent of the world's coronavirus vaccine needs and two vaccines are currently being exported to 14 countries. He said the Modi government has worked to upgrade the health infrastructure in the country in the last six-and-a-half years.
India Reports 11,831 New Coronavirus casesIndia's tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 1,08,38,194, with 11,831 new infections being reported in a day, while the daily death count fell below 100 for the fourth time this month, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
UN Chief Expresses Grief Over Loss Of Life Following Glacier Burst, Floods In Uttarakhand
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed grief over the loss of life in India's Uttarakhand due to the glacier burst and the subsequent flooding.
Uttarakhand: Rescue operation continues on the second day at Joshimath in Chamoli where a flash flood, triggered due to a glacier burst, occurred yesterday.
Uttarakhand: SDRF begins their rescue operation at the tunnel near Tapovan Dam in Chamoli.
Aerial rescue and relief missions have resumed with Mi-17 & ALH helicopters flying from Dehradun to Joshimath with disaster relief teams on board: Indian Air Force.
Uttarakhand Flood: 5 Bridges Destroyed, Food Via Air For Cut Off Villages
Access to at least 13 villages in Uttarakhand's Tapovan that was hit by flood after a glacier broke off in the upper reaches of the hill state remains cut off. The glacial disaster washed away five bridges of the Border Roads Organisation in the area. These bridges - one big and four small - connected narrow roads in the hills with the 13 villages. Officials said arrangements are being made to airdrop food packets to the villages.
5 Pics Of Uttarakhand Glacier Disaster
14 people were killed and 170 are still missing after a portion of Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Tapovan area of Joshimath in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, triggering massive flooding of the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers on Sunday morning.
See Pics Huge Flood As Uttarakhand Glacier Breaks, 14 Dead, 170 Missing
14 people were killed and 170 are still missing, after a glacier break at Joshimath in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district triggered massive flooding of the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers on Sunday. Many villages were evacuated as floods swept away five bridges, damaged homes and the nearby NTPC power plant, and washed away a small hydro power project near Rishiganga.
Read Here UK PM Offers Help After Glacier Burst
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday expressed solidarity with India after a glacier burst in Uttarakhand, which led to massive flooding in the state. Taking to Twitter, Johnson said that the UK is ready to offer any support required to India after the devastating floods in Uttarakhand.
Glacial Outburst Flood: What Is It And How Does It Occur
A glacier break in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district triggered huge flooding on Sunday followed by the evacuation of thousands - living near Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers - to safety. The flooding damaged nearby Rishiganga and NTPC power plants. Officials said over 100 labourers working in the power plant are feared dead.
Read Here Australian PM Scott Morrison Expresses Support After Uttarakhand Glacier Collapse
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday expressed support to India after glacier burst left atleast 7 people dead and over 170 missing in Uttarakhand.
Taking to Twitter, Morrison said that Austalia stands with ''one of its closest friends at this very difficult time''.
"Devastating news for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi following flash flooding in Uttarakhand. Australia stands with one of its closest friends at this very difficult time," he tweeted.
A glacier broke in the Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand on Sunday that triggered massive flooding in Dhauliganga and Alaknanda Rivers and damaged houses and the nearby Rishiganga power project.
Following the incident, leaders across the world including French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Ambassador to India Satoshi Suzuki expressed condolences to the victims of the glacial burst.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of those who lost their lives due to the glacial burst.
"We are assuming that around 125 people are missing. The number can be higher," Mr Rawat has said. He added that the government has all the needed assistance to handle the situation for now.
Water Levels Surge Up In Dhauli Ganga Once Again After Glacier BurstThe water level in the Dhauli Ganga river surged up once again on Sunday night under the impact of the glacial burst during the day, creating panic among people living in the area.
The sudden surge in the water level in the Dhauli Ganga at around 8 pm prompted authorities to suspend rescue operations at a project site in the vicinity of the river for the time being.
Rescue efforts, focussed on extricating 30-35 people trapped in the debris clogging one of the tunnels at the Tapovan-Vishnugad hydel project, will be resumed on Monday morning, the General Manager of the project said.
Swirling waters of the river gurgling downwards are causing fear among people living in the area, he said late Sunday night.