India glacier burst: death toll rises to 26

NEW DELHI – The death toll in northern India where a portion of a Himalayan glacier broke off Sunday, leading to a massive flood, has reached 26, while 171 are still missing, a senior official said yesterday evening.

A portion of the glacier on Nanda Devi, India’s second-highest mountain, broke off in Tapovan in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand, triggering a flood and damaging the Rishiganga hydropower project, Anadolu Agency reported.

Uttarakhand police chief Ashok Kumar said as of yesterday evening, a total of 26 bodies have been recovered in Tapovan.

Kumar said that 171 people are still missing, out of which 35 are presumed to be in a tunnel where a rescue operation is underway.

A massive rescue operation was launched Sunday with photos and videos shared on social media showing a massive flood and extensive damage to villages.

The Indian Air Force said yesterday that “aerial rescue and relief missions have resumed”. India airlifted specialised rescue teams, including special marine commandos, to join the operation, with authorities deploying the army in the rescue mission.

The missing are mostly labourers on power projects.

National Disaster Response Force head Satya Narayan Pradhan said more teams have been enlisted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that he was “constantly monitoring the unfortunate situation” and later announced compensation to those injured as well as the families of those killed. – Bernama, February 9, 2021

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