Latest News Updates: 7 Dead, 170 Missing After Glacier Breaks in Uttarakhand

Water Levels Surge Up In Dhauli Ganga Once Again After Glacier Burst

The 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.

Australian PM Scott Morrison Expresses Support After Uttarakhand Glaciar 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.

5 Latest Pics Of Uttarakhand Glacier Disaster
Seven 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.

The flooding has forced the evacuation of thousands, and damaged both houses and the nearby Rishiganga and NTPC power projects.

"Any Support Needed...": UK PM Expresses Solidarity After Uttarakhand Glacier Collapse

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.

"My thoughts are with the people of India and rescue workers in Uttarakhand as they respond to devastating flooding from the glacier collapse. The UK stands in solidarity with India and is ready to offer any support needed," he tweeted.

A glacier broke in the Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand on Sunday triggering massive flooding in Dhauliganga and Alaknanda Rivers and damaged houses and the nearby Rishiganga power project.

No Rise Of Water-Level In Joshimath: Trivendra Singh Rawat Cautions Against Rumours
Appealing people not to pay attention to hearsay, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday shared Uttarakhand Police tweet cautioning people to not get mislead by the rumours being spread on social media about the rise of water levels in Joshimath, which are completely false.

"Misleading and fact-less news is being spread on social media by some person regarding the rise in the water level in Joshimath, which is completely untrue. We request everyone to please ignore such rumours, and only trust the sources which are reliable," tweeted the official account of Uttarakhand police.

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat retweeted the police's message and said, "Please do not pay heed to the rumours."

The rescue operations had to be suddenly stopped in Dhauliganga due to the rise in the water level of the river, police official Yashwant Chauhan had said.
 
State police chief Ashok Kumar said rescue work at the NTPC's 900-metre long Tapovan Tunnel has also been halted due to a rise in water level.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Chief Minister Rawat to review the flood situation in the state. This was his fourth call regarding the matter.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi just called and inquired about the Tapovan disaster. The Prime Minister assured all the necessary help and instructed not to leave any stone unturned in the relief work. It was his fourth call in the day and shows the Prime Minister have affection for Uttarakhand," tweeted Rawat.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has rescued 12 people who were trapped in the tunnel near the Tapovan area following a glacier burst in the Chamoli district.

The ITBP was carrying out the rescue operation at the tunnel near Tapovan dam in Chamoli to rescue trapped people. At least nine bodies have been recovered from the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) site in the Tapovan area, informed SS Deswal, Director General, ITBP.

Meanwhile, seven Navy diving teams are on standby for the flash flood relief operations in the state, said the Navy officials.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of those who lost their lives due to the glacial burst.

Nearly 180 sheep and goats were believed to have been swept away in the flash flood, said Rawat adding five locals including three shepherds and two women who were cutting grass had lost their lives in the disaster.

"We are assuming that around 125 people are missing. The number can be higher," Rawat said. He added that the government has all the needed assistance to handle the situation for now.

Farmers' Protests A Misunderstanding: Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot

"There are 36 states and Union territories in the country, but farmers are protesting in only a few places in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. These cultivators are protesting due to misunderstanding," the Union Social Justice and Empowerment minister said.

Uttarakhand Disaster: Rishikesh-Joshimath-Mana Road Reopened For Traffic

"The Rishikesh-Joshimath-Mana road which was blocked at Hathipahad due to flash flood in Dhauli Ganga has been reopened for traffic by Border Roads Organisation by late afternoon today after quick road clearance operation. Several BRO teams are in the area for relief operations," said a BRO statement.

Global Leaders Offer Condolence To Families Of Uttarakhand Disaster Victims

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet, "France expresses its full solidarity with India, after a glacier burst in the Uttarakhand province, leading to the disappearance of over 100 people. Our thoughts are with them and their families."

The US State Department in a tweet has also offered condolence to the families of victims.

"Our deepest condolences to those affected by the glacier burst and landslide in India. We grieve with the family and friends of the deceased and extend our hopes for a speedy and full recovery for the injured," the Department said in a tweet.

"My heart bleeds for tragic loss and missing of many innocent lives by the massive glacier burst in Uttarakhand today. I'd like to extend my heartfelt condolences, and pray for those missing to be rescued as soon as possible. Our sympathy is with the people of Uttarakhand," said Satoshi Suzuki, Japanese Ambassador to India.

French President Emmanuel Macron Expresses Solidarity Over Uttarakhand Disaster

"France expresses its full solidarity with India, after a glacier burst in the Uttarakhand province, leading to the disappearance of over 100 people. Our thoughts are with them and their families," Mr Macron said on Twitter.

More Than 58 Lakh Healthcare, Frontline Workers Vaccinated Against Covid: Centre

India is now the third topmost country with the highest doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered after the US and the UK, it said.

The ministry said 12 states reported vaccination activity on Sunday--Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tripura and Uttarakhand.

The cumulative number of healthcare workers and frontline workers vaccinated against COVID-19 is 58,03,617 till 6:40 pm on Sunday, as per the provisional report.

2 Teams Of Glaciologists To Visit Joshimath-Tapovan To Study Causes Of Flooding In Chamoli

Dhauli Ganga River's Water Level Breached All Records After Glacial Burst: Central Water Commission Officials

The glacial burst triggered an avalanche and a deluge in the Alaknanda river system that washed away hydroelectric stations and trapped more than 100 labourers who are feared dead.

PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh Compensation For Family Of Those Killed In Uttarakhand Glacier Burst

The Prime Minister also announced Rs 50,000 from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the people who were seriously injured.

"PM @narendramodi 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 tragic avalanche caused by a glacier breach in Chamoli, Uttrakhand. Rs 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured," the office of the Prime Minister tweeted.

Government Stands Shoulder To Shoulder With People Hit By Glacier Burst: Rajnath Singh

"I have been watching the visuals from Chamoli district about damage caused by Glacier burst. In this difficult time, we stand shoulder to shoulder with people affected by the tragedy. Praying for well-being of the people of Uttarakhand," Rajnath Singh said.

Democratic space shrinking in India: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi
Gogoi on Sunday said people are being harassed by various agencies for criticising the government, leading to the shrinking of democratic space in the country.

Addressing a press conference, Mr Gogoi accused the Narendra Modi government of threatening all forms of democractic protests in the country and trying to silence peaceful dissent.

First Week Of Delhi Government's Campaign To Promote Electric Two-Wheelers Begins

According to a statement, the first week will focus on outreach regarding the two-wheeler segment, including electric bikes and e-scooters, to accelerate its adoption.

A study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) showed that vehicle pollution causes 28 per cent of PM2.5 emissions in Delhi and two-wheelers constitute seven per cent of this pollution, the statement said.

Punjab Chief Minister Prays For Well-Being Of People After Uttarakhand Glacier Burst

A part of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off at Joshimath in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Sunday, leading to a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river and causing large-scale devastation in the upper reaches of the ecologically fragile Himalayas.

Amit Shah Cancels Goa Hospital Visit To Meet Shripad Naik In View Fo Uttarakhand Glacier Outburst

Mr Shah was supposed to meet Mr Naik, who has been undergoing treatment at the GMCH since his SUV met with a road accident last month, on his way back from Sindhudurg in neighbouring Maharashtra.

3,200 Saplings Planted As Part Of ''Cauvery Calling'' In Tamil Nadu

Species such as rosewood, sandalwood, vengai and red sanders were planted in the land of a farmer from the district, a press release from Isha Foundation, a spiritual organisation, said on Sunday.

The Cauvery Calling was launched by the founder of the foundation Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev in 2019 to promote tree-based farming on private farmlands in the Cauvery river basin.