Cabinet Secretary chairs review meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee
New Delhi: While around 12 persons trapped in a tunnel had been rescued by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), efforts were on to rescue others trapped in another tunnel, which was being co-ordinated by the Army and ITBP, following the glacier burst near Joshi Math in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand today morning. All out efforts were being made to ensure that all missing people are traced and accounted for, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated here today.
The rise in water level had been contained and there was no danger of downstream flooding, as per the information given by the Central Water Commission (CWC) to the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC).
There was now also no threat to the neighbouring villages, the NCMC, which met under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba to review the situation arising out of the natural disaster in Uttarakhand caused by glacial burst, stated.
Also read: Many missing after glacier breaks in Uttarakhand
The meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, DG ITBP, Chief IDS, Members of NDMA, DG NDRF, Chairman CWC, DG IMD and Chairman DRDO, along with other senior officers. Chief Secretary, Uttarakhand joined the meeting with his team of officers.
Two teams of National Disaster Relief Front were enroute and three additional teams had been flown in from Hindon that were expected to reach the spot later in the night. More than 200 ITBP personnel were on the spot, and one column and Engineering Task Force (ETF) of Army, with all rescue equipment had been deployed. Navy divers are being flown in and aircrafts/ helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are on standby. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed that two helicopters from the Armed Forces had been moved from Bareily to Joshimath for rescue and relief operations
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed during the meeting that there is no rainfall warning in the region for the next two days.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, at the same time informed that the concerned agencies of the Centre and the State were asked to keep a strict vigil on the situation, and a team from Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO), which monitors avalanches, was being flown in for surveillance and reconnaissance. The Managing Director of National Thermal Power Corporation was also asked to reach the affected site immediately.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from Prime Minster’s National Relief Fund 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.
Prayers in the face of nature’s fury. Today at Chamoli disaster situation after Nandadevi glacier broke down. Status of dam. For disaster emergency contact 9557444486. pic.twitter.com/qDhIvh9HF2
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) February 7, 2021
The 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. The flash flood also affected the downstream hydro project of NTPC at Tapovan on the river Dhauliganga, which is a tributary of the river Alaknanda.
Following the NCMC meeting, the Cabinet Secretary directed the concerned agencies to work in close co-ordination and extend all requisite assistance to the State administration. He emphasised the need to account for all missing persons and ensure that those trapped in the tunnel are rescued at the earliest. He directed that surveillance should be maintained till rescue efforts are completed and the situation returns to normalcy.
Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand briefed the Committee through VC, on the ground situation as well as the actions taken by them after the incident to evacuate people and to contain the damage caused by the flooding due to the glacial burst.
– global bihari bureau
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