High alert in Uttar Pradesh after glacier breaks off in neighbouring Uttarakhand

In a disaster alert issued here on Sunday to all the district magistrates in UP, the Relief Commissioner said, "Report of breaking of a part of Nandadevi Glacier in Uttarakhand has been received. The districts on the Ganga river (banks) need to be on a high alert. And the monitoring of water level needs to be done 24×7. Also, If required, the people need to be evacuated."

Over 150 labourers working at the Rishi Ganga power project may have been directly affected, said State Disaster Response Force DIG Ridhim Aggarwal.

Over 150 missing, 10 bodies recovered

Sources said there were 100 labourers on the barrage at Rishiganga of which at least 50 are feared dead. In addition, About 150 people are missing according to latest reports. Also, even as 10 dead bodies have been fished out.

Homes along the way were swept away as the waters rushed down the mountainsides in a raging torrent. Also, there were fears of damage in human settlements downstream.

The NDRF, SDRF and PAC Flood Company have been given instructions to be on the highest alert, the statement added.

ALSO READ: Uttarakhand Glacier Burst: Over 150 missing, 10 bodies recovered

In a tweet in Hindi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "To tackle the natural disaster which has occurred in Uttarakhand, the Uttar Pradesh government will extend all possible help."

ALSO READ: UP govt Free coaching classes for competitive exams from Feb 16; details here

Stay tuned with the newstrack to get fastest updates. Click @englishnewstrack to follow us on Facebook and @newstrackmedia to follow on Twitter.