Two more bodies were recovered in the disaster affected area of Tapovan in Chamoli taking the toll to 58 while 146 persons remain missing. Of the total bodies recovered, 31 have been identified while 27 are yet to be identified. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) a total of 11 bodies have so far been recovered from the Tapovan-Vishnugad power project tunnel where upto 35 persons were stuck. Debris have been cleared from about 145 metres of the tunnel with backflow caused by the debris being in sludge form continuing to pose hindrance in the task.
Meanwhile, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) members Syed Ata Hasnain and Rajendra Singh jointly presided over a video conference regarding the Chamoli disaster with scientists from important technical and research institutions of the country. It was decided in the meeting that a joint committee of various institutions should be formed for detailed research on mitigation of natural disasters in the Himalaya and environmental conservation. The joint committee will submit its report to the Uttarakhand government. Further, all types of technical and other help will be provided to Uttarakhand government to tackle natural disasters.
Uttarakhand chief secretary Om Prakash informed that work is being undertaken in a balanced manner to drain the lake formed in the disaster affected area. Citing the report of Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC) director MPS Bisht, he said that till a few days ago, water was flowing out of only one point from the lake but latest satellite data shows that water is flowing out from three points in the lake. Considering this, there is no possibility of danger at present. He also directed the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, State Disaster Response Force and USAC director to jointly inspect the lake area and submit a report.
Wednesday, 17 February 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
