Uttarakhand floods highlights: Cause for cloudburst uncertain but our govt is focused on saving lives, says CM Rawat

In Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, the Nandadevi glacier broke earlier today, washing away houses near the Dhauliganga river. Over 100 are missing as rescue operations are underway. Hundreds of Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel have been deployed for rescue operations. Water sports and activities have been stopped in Rishikesh and Haridwar is on flood alert.

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Uttarakhand floods down to increased 'human intervention' in Himalayan region, green experts say

Even though it may take time to find out the exact cause behind the disaster, the massive flood possibly caused by the glacial outburst in Uttarakhand once again puts the spotlight on the ecological fragility of the hill state, which faces multiple climate change threats on one hand while battling the consequences of large scale development work on the other.

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Dhauli Ganga river's water level at Joshimath breached all records after glacial burst: CWC official

The water level of the Dhauli Ganga river at Joshimath flowed at a perilously high level, breaching all records, Central Water Commission officials said after a part of Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district leading to massive floods.

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Sonia Gandhi urges all party workers, volunteers to help people of disaster-hit Uttarakhand

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday urged all party workers and volunteers to help the people hit by a massive glacier break-off in Uttarakhand's Joshimath in the relief and rescue efforts.

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We are saddened by the news of flash flood in Uttarakhand: Nepal

We are saddened by the news of death and missing of many individuals due to flash flood caused by an avalanche in Uttarakhand. We express deep condolences to the bereaved family members of the deceased & pray for the safety of those missing: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal

Heavy excavators being brought to remove the debris and slush to open the tunnel. ITBP teams on the spot. The increased water level of the river late evening hampering rescue efforts.

U'khand glacier burst leaves seven dead, at least 125 missing; CM says numbers could be higher, announces compensation

Rescuers have pulled out seven bodies from a tunnel while at least 125 people were missing after a glacier burst in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand triggered a massive avalanche and floods in the Alaknanda river system on Sunday.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said the numbers could be higher and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the "massive disaster".

Uttarakhand glacier burst: Maha guv expresses grief, shock

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari expressed shock and grief on the devastation caused in Uttarakhand where a glacier broke off at Joshimath in Chamoli district on Sunday, leading to a massive flood.

Tracing the Ganga's intricate waterweb

In Uttarakhand, the Ganga and its tributaries pass through important tourist places like Rishikesh, Hardiwar, Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag.

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Dhauli Ganga river's water level at Joshimath breached all records after glacial burst: CWC official

The water level of the Dhauli Ganga river at Joshimath flowed at a perilously high level, breaching all records, Central Water Commission officials said after a part of Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district leading to massive floods.

'Nayi zindagi mili': ITBP rescues workers stuck in flash-flood hit tunnel

Covered in mud, several men were safely pulled out one after the other from a slush-covered tunnel by ITBP personnel in the Tapovan power project area that was swept away by a flash flood triggered by a glacier break in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on Sunday.

In a video of the operation shared by the border force, the rescuers can be seen raising slogans of 'dum lagakey haisha' while retrieving a couple of men through the vertical and narrow snout of the tunnel with the help of a rope line.

5 locals including shepherds with their 180 sheep andgoats swept away in a flash flood. We are assuming that around 125 people are missing. Numbercan be higher: CM TS Rawat

PM Narendra Modi has approved an ex-gratia of Rs2 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, Uttarakhand. Rs 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured: PMO

JUST IN |State government to give financial assistance of Rs 4 lakhs each to the kin of the deceased: Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat

Deeply shocked: Mamata on Uttarakhand disaster

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said she was deeply shocked over the disaster that struck Uttarakhand after a glacier broke off, leading to a massive flood.

Over 150 labourers working at a power project in the northern state are feared dead, officials said, adding, many villages were evacuated and people taken to safer areas. (PTI)

National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba metto review the situation arising out of glacial burst in Uttarakhand.

Glacial burst led to the rising of water levels in the river Rishiganga, which washed away the Rishiganga small hydro project of 13.2 MW. Flash flood affected the downstream hydro project of NTPC at Tapovan on the river Dhauliganga, which is a tributary of the river Alaknanda. No danger of downstream flooding and the rise in water level has been contained, as per the information given by the Central Water Commission (CWC). Team from DRDO, who monitor avalanches, is being flown in for surveillance and reconnaissance. Two teams of NDRF are enroute and 3 additional teams have been flown in from Hindon which will reach the spot later in the night. More than 200 ITBP personnel are on the spot, and one column and Engineering Task Force (ETF) of Army, with all rescue equipment have been deployed.

Navy divers are being flown in and aircraft/ helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are on standby. No rainfall warning in the region for the next two days, IMD informs NCMC meeting.

Visuals from rescue sites

Glacier burst: IMD says no adverse weather over affected areas on Feb 7, 8

The MeT department Sunday said no adverse weather events are expected over Chamoli, Tapovan and Joshimath in Uttarakhand on February 7 and 8, in a relief for the area hit by a major glacier burst.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) Additional Director General Anand Sharma said Chamoli, Tapovan and Joshimath are likely to witness dry weather during the two days. (PTI)

High alert in UP as glacier breaks off in neighbouring Uttarakhand

The glacier burst triggered a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river and caused large-scale devastation in the upper reaches of the ecologically fragile Himalaya.

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JUST IN |ITBP rescues all 16 people who were trapped in the tunnel near Tapovan, Chamoli

10 bodies recovered from river in Uttarakhand: ITBP DG

There was an under constructed tunnel near Tapovan dam in Uttarakhand where around 20 workers are stranded. ITBP team deployed at site is undertaking rescue operation. We are in touch with the management team of NTPC to gather information on missing people: SS Deswal, DG, ITBP, told ANI.

He added, "It is suspected that around 100 workers were at the site. Of which, 9-10 dead bodies have been recovered from the river. Search operation is underway. 250 ITBP personnel are at the site presently, Indian Army team will reach soon."

It is clear from the condition of water flow in the river at Karnaprayag at 3.10 AM today that the possibility of flooding is very less. Our special focus is on rescuing the workers trapped in the tunnels and we are making all efforts. All necessary efforts have been made to deal with any problem: CM TS Rawat

50-100 people working at power project missing; 2 bodies recovered: U'khand DGP

An estimated 50-100 personnel working at a power project in Tapovan-Reni area of Uttarakhand are missing following which search and rescue operations have been launched, Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar said on Sunday after a glacier broke leading to a flash flood in Chamoli district. (PTI)

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said, "We are gathering details on the flash flood in Uttarakhand's Chamoli. Our officials are in contact with authorities there. As it concerns Ganga river, we need to remain alert." (ANI)

JUST IN | 16 people who were trapped in Tapovan Dam are being shifted to safer places by Police,Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar told ANI

Police, SDRF, Army & ITBP teams are already doing their best to save lives of the workers at both the construction sites, affected by the disaster. Two bodies have already been recovered & we are doing our best to lessen the damage caused by the disaster: CM TS Rawat

CM TS Rawat posted helpline numbers

Anyone requiring help can contact following emergency numbers - 1070, 1905 and 9557444486.I thank state’s population in the affected regions for their cooperation and request everyone to maintain calm & not share unverified information on various platforms: CM TS Rawat

JUST IN | ITBP personnel are digging to open Tapovan Tunnel which is completely blocked due to debris. Many are feared to be trapped inside the tunnel.

JUST IN |3 dead bodies have been recovered so far and over 150 are feared missing, ITBP officials have said quoting local administration.

Visuals from Uttarakhand

Union ministers comment on Uttarakhand tragedy

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed shock at the natural disaster. "Home Minister has assured that every help the Uttarakhand government would need will be extended. There shall not be any hesitation on that," she said.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, "I pray to God that everyone stays fine and nobody is hurt."

The Indian Army has deployed choppers and troops to support the Uttarakhand government andNDRF to tackle the flood. Military station near Rishikesh actively involved in coordination of rescue and relief operations with local administration. Army headquarters monitoring the situation.

Army officials stated that six columns (around 600 personnel) of the Indian Army are on their way to the flood-affected areas (ANI)

SN Pradhan, DG NDRF, told ANI that teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are already deployed in Joshimath and theNational Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has already moved from Dehradun to Joshimath. "We are organising airlift for 3-4 more teams from Delhi to Dehradun onwards to Joshimath," Pradhan said.

Constantly reviewing the situation: PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi, who is currently in Assam, reviewed the situation in Uttarakhand. He spoke to CM Trivendra Singh Rawat and other top officials. PM Modi also took stock of rescue and relief work underway. "Authorities are working to provide all possible support to affected," Prime Minister's Office said.

The Indian Air Force has deployed three choppers including two Mi-17 and one ALH Dhruv chopper for rescue operations. These are stationed in Dehradun and nearby areas for helping in rescue operations in flood-affected areas. "More aircraft will be deployed as per the requirement on ground,"IAF officials have said.

JUST IN | Uttarakhand Chief Secretary OM Prakash has said that 100-150 casualties are feared in the flash floods in Chamoli district

Every possible help will be provided to Devbhoomi: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he has spoken to CM TS Rawat, DGs of ITBP and the NDRF. "All officers concerned are working on a war footing to rescue people. NDRF teams have left for rescue operations. Every possible help will be provided to Devbhoomi," Shah said. (ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah briefed on the situation

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been briefed on Uttrakhand’s Chamoli district flood situation. He is coordinating relief and rescue with Uttarakhand Chief Secretary, Union Home Secretaryand MoS Home Nityanand Rai. Air Force and other disaster relief forces are on standby. (ANI)

CM TS Rawat has informed that the water flow in Alaknanda river has become normal past Nandprayag. "Water level of the river is now 1 meter above normal but flow is decreasing. Chief Secretary, Disaster Secretary, Police officials and my all teams are monitoring the situation in disaster control room," he said. (ANI)

Flow of Bhagirathi River stopped as a precaution: Uttarakhand CM

Uttarakhand CM has informed that people are being evacuated from the areas near Alkananda. "As a precautionary measure, flow of Bhagirathi River has been stopped. To prevent the flow of water of Alaknanda, Srinagar Dam andRishikesh Dam have been emptied. SDRF is on alert. I am leaving for the spot," he said.

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat has stated that if one is stranded in affected areas and needs help:Please contact Disaster Operations Center number 1070 or 9557444486: