Today on February 7, 2021, the Uttarakhand state of India, witnessed one of the biggest natural disasters in its short history as a glacier breaking off resulted in a flash flood that wreaked havoc in Chamoli district.
As per reports of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the flash flood was reported at 10:45 am in the Rishi Ganga river after a part of the Nanda Devi glacier broke. "It exponentially increased the volume of water. Due to this, the Rishiganga hydro project near Raini village was completely devastated," it said in a statement.
The Rishiganga Hydroelectric Project (RGHEP) is a run-of-river hydroelectric project for development on the Rishi Ganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda River, in the Chamoli district. The NTPC project in Tapovan has swept away completely. At least 40 people were working at the plant, local authorities said.
A warning was issued for people to avoid going to the banks of the Ganga river. People living on the banks of the Alaknanda river were advised to move to safe places. Officials said the glacier breaking sent water trapped behind it as well as mud and other debris surging down the mountain and into other bodies of water.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah have assured all possible help to the state.
As per the latest news, 125 people were missing while near 10 people were confirmed dead.
The cricket fraternity was shocked at the news of this disaster and sent across prayers to all those affected in the tragedy.
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