New Delhi: Nearly 200 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel along with at least 400 of the Army, besides aerial assets of the Indian Air Force, have been deployed at Ringi Village near Joshimath in Uttarakhand for search and rescue operations after flash flood hit the area Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, naval divers have been kept on standby.
Defence officials said a field hospital has also been established to ensure treatment to the injured civilians, many of whom are workers at the Tapovan power project.
ITBP, which was the first responder, has managed to save 12 people stuck inside a tunnel.
Brave #Himveers of ITBP rescuing trapped persons from the tunnel near Tapovan, #Dhauliganga, #Uttarakhand this evening after 4 hrs of efforts. Total 12 persons were rescued from the tunnel out of which 3 were found unconscious. After first aid, carried on stretchers to road head. pic.twitter.com/iHsrFXjhDd
— ITBP (@ITBP_official) February 7, 2021
Officials said 60 personnel from the NDRF have moved with 5-tonne load from Hindon air base near Delhi to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun in an IAF C 130J aircraft.
One more C 130J and one AN 32 are ready at Hindon with additional NDRF personnel. Three IAF Mi 17 choppers have been kept ready at the Jolly Grant airport to transfer NDRF teams to Joshimath.
Additionally, 16 Naval Commandos (Marcos) have been kept ready in Delhi and another 40 in Mumbai for airlift to Ringi village in case of any additional requirement, the officials said.
Based on a request from the state government, the Army has already deployed two columns (about 200 men) from Joshimath and another two columns from Auli in Uttarakhand.
Two additional columns are on standby, the officials said, adding that the Engineering Task Force with two JCBs have also been deployed.
Medical columns with two ambulances have also been deployed besides establishment of a control room in Joshimath to coordinate the entire search and rescue operation.
Also read: 3 bodies recovered in Uttarakhand, 150 labourers missing or feared dead, says ITBP
Crisis management panel meets
The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba met Sunday to review the situation arising out of the natural disaster caused by a glacier burst.
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Om Prakash briefed the committee via video conference on the ground situation as well as the actions taken by them after the incident to evacuate people and contain the damage.
The glacial burst led to the rising of water levels in Rishiganga river, which washed away the Rishiganga small hydro project of 13.2 MW.
The flash flood also affected the downstream hydro project of NTPC at Tapovan on the Dhauli Ganga river, a tributary of Alaknanda.
However, there is no danger of downstream flooding and the rise in water level has been contained, according to information given by the Central Water Commission (CWC), the NCMC said in a statement.
There is also no threat to the neighbouring villages, it added.
At the same time, the central and state agencies concerned have been asked to keep a strict vigil on the situation, and a team from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which monitors avalanches, is being flown in for surveillance and reconnaissance.
Also read: PM Modi reviews flood situation in Uttarakhand, takes stock of rescue & relief work
Huge woeful tragedy occurs at Joshimath in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on 7 February 2021.
Sunday on 7 February , 2021 was a day of tragic disaster at Joshimath in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand when a glacier broke off causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river. The State government as also the center were quick to rise to the occasion, responding to the tragedy effectively. Some personnel from ITBP , NDRF and Army were pressed into service , besides other necessary measures, to deal with the emergency. The tragedy has shocked the nation. Reports so far suggest that about 10 persons have died while 100 to 150 are reported to be missing. Rishi Ganga hydroelectric power project has been reportedly damaged. Also , a dam of the Tapovan power project is reported to have been breached , feared to have been either washed away or damaged. More material details may come light as the time passes. This Vedic astrology writer prays for peace to the departed souls while wellbeing of those missing.
In this context , it may be apt to share with readers the predictive alert of this Vedic astrology writer related to Joshimath avalanche tragedy on 7 February in article as follows :-
“ Major worrisome potential of concerns during 10 January to 13 February in soon coming year 2021 for vulnerable world and India as well , calling for more care and appropriate strategy”.
The said predictive article carrying the related alert was published at english.nirpakhawaaz.in on 26 November 2020. The alert reads like this:- “( C ). India is offered the following tips for closer attention , more care and appropriate strategy during about 10 January to 13 February 2021 :-
( 1 ). India is already alert against severe cold weather in borders in the north where our brave soldiers are keeping an eye on enemy. It seems this time the inclement weather could be extreme. Some snow-storms or snow-caused avalanches or snow-caused extreme hazards , massive landslides have potential there while it is believed that we are alive to such –like contingencies during about 10 January to 13 February in coming year 2021. While the need to be alert for more care and appropriate strategy continues to exists during the entire period from about 10 January to 13 February in 2021 , the period from 14 to 17 January and 21 , 26 to 28 January , 3 and 4 February needs particular attention”.
Subsequently , this writer’s another article as follows , reiterating the related predictive alert also, was published at english.nirpakhawaaz.in on 29 January 2021 :-
“Predictive alerts for more care and appropriate strategy in vulnerable countries of world during 9 February , particularly from mid-February to 10 March in 2021”.
The related predictive alert reads like this in the article :-
( B ). Now , INDIA is taken up covering the period from ABOUT 9 February , particularly from mid-February to 10 March in present year 2021. The following predictive alerts are likely to necessitate more care and appropriate strategy :-
( 1 ) to ( 3 )……………………………………
( 4 ). Extreme nature and vagaries of weather can cause huge woes , particularly in the NORTH among the States and places listed here at part (B). More care and appropriate strategy may need to be exercised in HILL STATES OF THE NORTHERN INDIA in relation to likely snow storms , avalanches and incidents of massive landslide. Interiors of Himachal Pradesh like Kinnaur-Shimla-Chamba-Kangra , Sikkim-Gangtok , Kashmir-Srinagar , may have a note of this predictive alert for more care and appropriate strategy during the period of time with dates identified in this article.
( 5 ). More care and appropriate strategy would be alright in handling or storing energy resources like power-electricity-gas-explosives-petrol and related stores. HYDROPOWER HOUSES may call for attention in vulnerable locations across the country during the period of time identified here in this predictive article”.
These factual details suggest that predictive alert sounded on record by this writer on 26 November 2020 , reiterated on 29 January 2021 , calling for more care and appropriate strategy near about 9 February 2021 also in relation to looming danger of snow-caused storms , avalanches and disaster in hill State of northern India where Hydropower houses -projects are located and our security forces Jawans are also stationed , was precisely accurate and meaningful.
( 1 ). Link to reach the article published on 26 November 2020 :-
http://english.nirpakhawaaz.in/2020/11/26/major-worrisome-potential-of-concerns-during-10-january-to-13-february-in-soon-coming-year-2021-for-vulnerable-world-including-india-as-well-calling-for-more-care/
( 2 ). Link to reach the article published on 29 January 2021 :-
http://english.nirpakhawaaz.in/2021/01/29/predictive-alerts-for-more-care-and-appropriate-strategy-in-vulnerable-countries-of-world-during-9-february-particularly-from-mid-february-to-10-march-in-2021/