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Ministry of Home Affairs Disaster Management Division (National Emergency Response Centre) Situation Report on the Glacial Outburst at Reni in Chamoli District Uttarakhand as on 04.03.2021 up to 1800 hrs

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India
Sources
Govt. India
Publication date
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1. Details of incident : -

On 07.02.2021 at about 1000 hours an avalanche has occurrd in the upper catchment of Rishiganga river, a tributary of Alaknanda river in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand, which led to sudden rise in the water level of Rishiganga River. Due to flash flood on account of rising of water levels in the river Rishiganga, a functional Rishiganga small hydro project of 13.2 MW was washed away. The flash flood also affected the under construction 520 MW NTPC Hydro Power Project downstream at Tapovan on the river Dhauli Ganga.

2. Initial Damage reported: -

As per information received from Government of Uttarakhand, out of total 204 missing persons, dead bodies of 72 persons (including 14 dead bodies from Tapowan Tunnel) have been recovered so far and 132 persons are still missing. State Government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 4 lakh each for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the incident.

3. Current Situation: -

i. The search & rescue operation is going on at Raini and Lata village area and NTPC project Tapowan, by NDRF, SDRF, ITBP and local administration.

ii. Muck removal work is continuing in the tunnel of NTPC project and completed upto length of 204 meter. Due to profuse seepage and flooding thereof, excavation is getting delayed and progress is slow. Dewatering pumps are running continuously.

iii. An artificial lake was formed in the upper ridg of Rishiganga River. The water flowing through the channel formed at the mouth of the lake widened to approx 60 feet and the channel is being constantly monitor.

iv. Team of Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Geographical survey of India and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) are providing all necessary technical assistance including satellite images at regular intervals.

v. Intercom communication established inside the tunnel.

vi. Satellite communication system established between rescue site and control room at Raini village for surveillance of river water level.

vii. An alarm and Hooter system has been installed and made operational for early warning system. viii. Medical camp and Public Information Centre are operational.

viii. Medical camp and Public Information Centre are operational

ix. On 24.02.2021 the depth measurement of artificial lake at multiple location was completed successfully by deep divers of Indian Navy. The depth of the lake measured approx. 46 Meters in the middle of the lake with gradual reduction towards the inflow point. The team observed that the rate of outflow is higher than that of the inflow and the water level in the lake is gradually reducing.