NEW DELHI: A glacier burst in Reni village of Chamoli in Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand on Sunday caused a flash flood endangering the life of people living near the river bank.

Around 9-10 bodies have been recovered from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) site in Tapovan area of Chamoli, said the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials. Around 100-150 casualties are feared in the flash flood.

As per officials at Rishiganga power project, which has sustained heavy damages due to flash flood, around 50 people are missing in Tapovan area. Missing persons are believed to be the labourers working at the dam site.

Authorities have sounded a high alert from Chamoli to Haridwar.

Chief minister Trivendra Rawat is expected to make an aerial survey shortly. The CM has convened an emergency meeting to take stock of the situation and to supervise rescue and relief operations.

Massive flood in Dhauliganga

The massive flood in Dhauliganga and Joshimath which was reported near Reni village, 26 km from Joshimath, destroyed many houses situated on the river bank.

As a precautionary measure, the flow of the Bhagirathi River has been stopped, CM Rawat said.

He informed that Srinagar dam and Rishikesh dam have been emptied to prevent the flow of water of Alaknanda which has now become normal past Nandprayag. The water level of the river is now 1 meter above normal but the flow is decreasing, said the CM.

The water level in Dhauliganga river rose suddenly following the avalanche near the power project.

The CM also took to Twitter and urged people not to pay attention to any kind of rumours. "A disaster has been reported from Chamoli district. Do not pay attention to any kind of rumours. The government is taking all necessary steps."

Government releases helpline numbers

Chief minister Rawat urged people to not spread rumours through old flood videos and released helpline numbers.

"If you are stranded in affected areas and you need any help. Please contact disaster operations center number 1070 or 9557444486," said Rawat.
Flood advisory issued for Srinagar, Haridwar, Rishikesh

Uttarakhand Police has issued a flood advisory and said that water level may rise at Srinagar, Haridwar, and Rishikesh.

"Water level at Srinagar may rise to 536.00 m at 16:00 hrs. at Rishikesh, the water level may rise to 340.50 m at 20:00 hrs and Haridwar the water level may reach 294.00 m at 21:00 hrs. The Danger level will cross at Srinagar, Rishikesh, and Haridwar," said Uttarakhand Police in its advisory.

Rescue operation underway: 2 ITBP teams reach disaster site.

* Officials said that settlements near the river banks from Chamoli till Rishikesh and Haridwar are being cleared.

* Sixteen people who were trapped in Tapovan Dam are being shifted to safer places by Police, said Uttarakhand DGP Ashok.

* Over 200 jawans are on the job and working in collaboration with local administration. A team has been deployed near Joshimath to raise awareness and evacuate people. The situation is under control, said Vivek Pandey, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) spokesperson.

* A meeting is scheduled at cabinet secretariat on relief operations in Chamoli. Director generals and home ministry officials will also be joining the meeting.

* Two teams of ITBP have reached the spot and three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been rushed from Dehradun, said minister of state for home ministry, Nityanand Rai.

* Three additional teams will reach at the disaster site with the help of IAF chopper till evening.

* Three Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers including two Mi-17 and one ALH Dhruv chopper have been stationed in Dehradun and nearby areas for rescue operations in flood-affected areas. More aircraft will be deployed.

* Though the impact of the disaster may not be felt in Rishikesh and Haridwar, the towns have been put on alert.

* A government spokesman said that there was not much human habitation at the site where the glacier broke but a number of power projects have been hit.

* The government has also appealed to the area people not to venture near the Ganga river.

PM Modi briefed about glacier burst

While in Assam, PM Modi reviewed the situation in Uttarakhand. He spoke to CM Rawat and other top officials. He took stock of the rescue and relief work underway. Authorities are working to provide all possible support to the affected.

PM had travelled to Assam earlier in the day to inaugurate several infrastructure projects. He is scheduled to travel to West Bengal later today.

The Prime Minister said that he is being constantly updated about the unfortunate incident in Uttarakhand.

Every possible help will be provided to devbhoomi: Amit Shah

Union home minister Amit Shah has also been briefed on the flood situation, relief and rescue measures by Uttarakhand chief secretary, Union home secretary & MoS Rai.

Regarding the natural disaster in Uttarakhand, I've spoken to CM Rawat, director generals of ITBP and 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," said Shah.

Uttar Pradesh on high alert

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh has been put on high alert after a part of Nanda Devi Glacier broke in Uttarakhand, official sources said on Sunday.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has directed all district magistrates of UP districts situated along the Ganga river to be on high alert and monitor water levels continuously, a government spokesman said.

"If required, people will be evacuated to safe places. NDRF, SDRF and Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary have also been put on highest alert," the spokesman said.