The disaster struck in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. The rupture of the glacier caused a flood that destroyed two hydroelectric power stations along the Daliganga River. A huge wave swept away roads, bridges and buildings.
Indian emergency services are searching for at least 170 missing people. Local authorities informed that the bodies of 14 victims had been found and 15 people were rescued.
The Uttarakhand government said on Twitter, “15 people have been rescued, and so far we have found 14 bodies in different places.” She added that at least 170 people were still wanted.
Local police chief Ashok Kumar said on Sunday that there could be as many as 200 people in the power plants alone – reports AFP. Local authorities said 12 of those rescued were in one of the hydroelectric tunnels, and an estimated 25 to 30 people were still trapped in another.
Internet users share videos and photos that show the power of nature. A huge wave hurls relentlessly down the canyon, destroying everything in its path.
Today, Monday morning, 200 rescuers will participate in the search operation, in addition to several hundreds of soldiers and security forces, backed by helicopters and military aircraft.
Residents of neighboring villages were prevented from approaching the flooded waters of the river, and some were evacuated According to the authorities, the risk of floods was contained on Sunday evening – according to Agence France-Presse.
Uttarakhand is located in the Himalayas and is prone to floods and landslides. In June 2013, record rainfall caused devastating floods that claimed nearly 6,000 lives. Human beings. The disaster was later called the “Himalayan Tsunami” by the media due to the streams of water that were flowing through the mountainous area, causing collapses of mud and rocks and destroying homes, roads and bridges.
