Downstream flooding risk recedes: Amit Shah on Chamoli disaster

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 9

Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said there is no danger of downstream flooding and the rise in water level as the flashflood in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand has been contained.

As many as 197 people are missing while 20 people have died due to the floods and the Centre and the state government are keeping a strict vigil on the situation, Shah said while making a statement in Rajya Sabha on an avalanche in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand that led to flashfloods.

Of concern is the fate of 25 to 35 people stuck in a tunnel in the NTPC project. “Rescue operation to evacuate these persons is going on a war footing and all-out efforts are simultaneously being made to search for the missing persons,” he said while basing his inputs on the information received from the state government.

The flow of Bhagirathi river is being controlled as a precautionary measure and the Centre along with the state government is closely monitoring the situation. “13 small villages are being cut off, they are being provided with relief material and a medical team along with two ambulances is present at the location,” he said.

The avalanche had occurred in the upper catchment of Rishiganga, a tributary of Alaknanda river in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It led to a sudden rise in the water level of Rishiganga. Of the 197 persons reported missing, 139 are from the under-construction NTPC project, 46 were working on Rishiganga project and 12 were villagers.

He said in the current financial year, Rs 1,041 crore has been allocated to Uttarakhand under the State Disaster Risk Management Fund and the first installment has been released.