New Delhi (NVI): At least 10 people were killed and 8 missing after an avalanche hit Niti valley in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, Army said adding that the rescue operation is underway.
According to the Army officials, as many as 384 persons have been rescued.
The official said that at around 1600 hours on April 23, 2021, an avalanche hit a location about 4 km ahead of Sumna on Sumna – Rimkhim road in Uttarakhand.
“This is on Joshimath – Malari- Girthidobla – Sumna- Rimkhim axis,” official said.
The area has experienced heavy rains and snow for last five days and still continuing.
“Rescue operations were launched by the Indian Army immediately. 384 people have been safely rescued and are now at the Army camp. Rescue operations to locate other people at both the camps are continuing. Ten bodies have been recovered so far while 8 people are missing,” the official said.
According to the official, the road access is cut off at 4 to 5 locations due to multiple landslides.
“Border Road Task Force (BRTF) teams from Joshimath are working to clear slides enroute from Bhapkund to Sumna since last evening. It is expected to take another 6 to 8 hours to clear this axis completely,” the official said.
In February, a glacier burst incident had taken place at Joshimath in Chamoli district, leading to a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river and causing large-scale devastation.
Over 50 bodies were recovered and hundreds were declared missing.
–PRT
