Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar said that over 50 people who were working at the Rishiganga power project are feared to have been washed away or dead. “People who have been caught in the silt are being rescued. Teams of police and SDRF have reached the spot. The water has reached Karanprayag. We are trying our level best that there is no further loss of life,” Mr Kumar said.
Confirming the disaster, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that he has rushed to the spot. “I request people to not to spread the rumours of the disaster by sharing some old related videos,” the CM said.
??? ????? ???????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? - ???? ??? ?? ????? ?? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?????? video share ?? panic ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ? ?? ??? ????? ???? ?????
— Trivendra Singh Rawat (@tsrawatbjp) February 7, 2021
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is presently in Assam, took stock of the situation. “PM 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,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The Prime Minister, himself in a Twitter post said that he is constantly monitoring the unfortunate situation in Uttarakhand. “India stands with Uttarakhand and the nation prays for everyone’s safety there. Have been continuously speaking to senior authorities and getting updates on NDRF deployment, rescue work and relief operations,” he wrote.
Am constantly monitoring the unfortunate situation in Uttarakhand. India stands with Uttarakhand and the nation prays for everyone’s safety there. Have been continuously speaking to senior authorities and getting updates on NDRF deployment, rescue work and relief operations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 7, 2021
Many houses and hutments located along the river were washed away by the gushing river water that uprooted hundreds of trees that came in its way.
A National Disaster Management Team (NDRF) has reached the spot and Chamoli police has issued an alert for people to stay away from all the riparian areas of Uttarakhand.
Urging people to remain calm, Mr Rawat said the government is taking all necessary steps and people are being evacuated from all flood-hit areas.
#WATCH | 3 NDRF teams have reached there. More teams are ready to be airlifted to Uttarakhand from Delhi. ITBP jawans are also there. I assure people of Uttarakhand that Modi govt stands with them in this difficult time. All help will be extended: HM Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/lYxOhr8T2Y
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2021
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to CM Rawat, DG ITBP and DG NDRF. Assuring the people of disaster-hit area of all possible help, Mr Shah informed that a National Disaster Management Team (NDRF) has been deployed for rescue operations. (UNI)