Live: Bodies of 26 people recovered from different places, says Uttarakhand Police

The glacial burst led to the rising of water levels in the river Rishiganga and washed away the Rishiganga small hydro project of 13.2 MW. It also damaged a bigger one further down the Dhauliganga river being built by state firm NTPC. According to reports, most of the missing people were working on these two projects.

File Photo (PTI)

New Delhi: More than 24 hours have passed since the tragedy struck Uttarakhand and more than 200 people are still missing, while at least 18 have died after part of a glacier broke away in the Chamoli district and triggered a massive avalanche. 

The glacial burst then led to the rising of water levels in the river Rishiganga and washed away the Rishiganga small hydro project of 13.2 MW. It also damaged a bigger one further down the Dhauliganga river being built by state firm NTPC.

According to reports, most of the missing people were working on these two projects.

"As of now, around 203 people are missing," state chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said. However, the number is most likely to increase in the future. 

The rescue squads were focused on drilling their way through a 2.5 km (1.5 miles) long tunnel at the Tapovan Vishnugad hydropower project site that NTPC was building 5 km (3 miles) downstream where about 30 workers are believed to be trapped.

Earlier on Sunday, 12 people were rescued from another such tunnel.

Tap for live updates on Uttarakhand Glacier burst

08 February 2021

23:17 IST

According to the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Centre, 197 people are still missing.

23:15 IST

Ashok Kumar, DGP, Uttarakhand: Till 8 pm on Monday, 26 bodies have been recovered. 

23:15 IST

Uttar Pradesh: CM conducted a high level meeting over glacier burst in Chamoli in Uttarakhand. A toll free no. 1070 and WhatsApp no. 9454441036 has been established for people of Uttar Pradesh. CM has also ordered to set up state control room at Haridwar, says AK Awasthi, Addl Chief Secy, Home.

21:48 IST

Indian Air Force: Two Helipad activation teams of IAF Air Traffic Control and Meteorological personnel are at Joshimath and Gaucher for coordination of HADR ops. Two ALH helicopters are forward staged at Gaucher, while Mi-17s, Chinook and ALH are operating from Dehradun.

#HADROps#Uttarakhand

Two Helipad activation teams of IAF Air Traffic Control & Meteorological personnel are at Joshimath & Gaucher for coordination of HADR ops. 02*ALH helicopters are forward staged at Gaucher, while Mi-17s, Chinook & ALH are operating from Dehradun. pic.twitter.com/Yr2nWOaIhq

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) February 8, 2021

20:33 IST

Uttarakhand Police: So far, bodies of 24 people have been recovered from different places.

18:32 IST

Uttarakhand: Over 35 people missing might be stuck inside a 180 metres long tunnel.

18:30 IST

CM Trivendra Singh Rawat tells Zee News: There was no glacier in Tapovan 

18:29 IST

CM Trivendra Singh Rawat tells Zee News: Uttarakhand disaster not due to a glacier. 

18:23 IST

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat speaks exclusively to Zee News, says spoke to PM Narendra Modi who assured of all possible help.

18:21 IST

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat speaks exclusively to Zee News. 

Assures help and asks people not to panic.
​

17:48 IST

Uttarakhand: Main entrance of the Tapovan tunnel being cleared by ITBP personnel with the help of machines.

Main entrance of the Tapovan tunnel being cleared by ITBP personnel with the help of machines. #Dhauliganga #Chamoli#UttarakhandGlacialBurst pic.twitter.com/4z5WISgxUE

— PIB in Uttarakhand (@PIBDehradun) February 8, 2021

17:43 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda interact with Uttarakhand MPs. They discussed relief efforts and future course of action over Uttarakhand glacier disaster.

17:43 IST

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat arrives at Joshimath to review relief and rescue operations following glacier burst. 

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat arrives at Joshimath, to review relief and rescue operations following glacier burst pic.twitter.com/c0ZTPbpzSp

— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2021

16:41 IST

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said a comprehensive analysis of the entire incident is being carried out to avert future tragedies and asserted the immediate priority was to provide food and other assistance to the affected people.

In an interview with PTI, he said the incident appeared to have happened due to the breaking of the glacier and the Chief Secretary has been instructed to find out the real reasons.

"A DRDO team is already studying the cause of this tragedy and we have also sought the help of ISRO scientists and experts for the same," Rawat said.

16:39 IST

Uttarakhand glacier burst

The total number of people missing from several places: 

16:29 IST

State Disaster Management Force (SDRF) carries out rescue operation at the flash flood site in Uttarakhand's Chamoli.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: State Disaster Management Force (SDRF) carries out rescue operation at the flash flood site in Chamoli. pic.twitter.com/1X0oqeArkK

— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2021

16:28 IST

Jharkhand government issues helpline numbers for people of the state who are stranded in Uttarakhand's Chamoli due to glacier burst.

Jharkhand government issues helpline numbers for people of Jharkhand who are stranded at Chamoli, Uttarakhand due to glacier burst: State Govt pic.twitter.com/ZCyYD8Qj0D

— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2021

16:15 IST

Manoj Rawat, ADG ITBP in Joshimath, Uttarakhand: After the bridge collapsed in Raini village during glacier burst, around 13 villages have been cut off near areas such as Malari and Ghansali. There is heavy deployment of ITBP there near the India-China border. We have alerted them.