Rescue Operations Still Underway in Uttarakhand, Debris Causing Problems

Massive debris causing problems in rescue operations, authorities working round the clock to ensure the supply of food and water in neighbouring villages.

Thirty-two people have died and about 200 are still reported missing after the sudden rise in the water level in the Alaknanda river system in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The flash flood in the river system happened Sunday morning supposedly because of glacier burst.

Massive rescue and relief operations are underway since then. More than 600 personnel of National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, ITBP and Army are deployed.

The flash-floods completely washed away the NTPC’s Tapovan project and the Rishiganga Hydro project.

About 15 villages near the banks of these rivers have been cut off as all the connecting bridges have been washed away in the floods. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat told the press the first priority was to save lives and provide relief material to the affected people.

The authorities are rushing against time to carry out the rescue operation at the Tapovan tunnel. Since the tunnel is filled with debris, manually it’s difficult to move inside it. About 30 people are feared trapped.

Rawat supervised the relief and rescue operations from ground zero.