Uttarakhand Glacier Burst: PM Modi, CM Trivendra Rawat announce Rs 6 lakh aid for kin of deceased

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for the families of those killed due to the flash flood caused by a glacier burst in the Chamoli district. Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.

Addressing a press conference, Rawat said, "Experts can tell the reason behind the glacier outburst but our government is right now focused on saving the lives of people. Five locals, including shepherds, with their 180 sheep and goats were also swept away in the flash flood. We are assuming that around 125 people are missing. The number can be higher."

The PMO also said Rs 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured. "PM Narendra Modi has approved an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF (Prime Minister's National Relief Fund) for the next of kin



of those who have lost their lives due to the tragic avalanche caused by a Glacier breach in Chamoli, Uttrakhand. Rs 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured," the PMO tweeted.

So far, the bodies of seven people had been recovered, the Chief Minister said, but the NDRF put the number of dead at 10.

A portion of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Sunday, triggering an avalanche and flooding in the Dhauli Ganga, Rishi Ganga and Alaknanda rivers that washed away hydroelectric stations and swept away homes along the banks.

Two power projects NTPC's Tapovan-Vishnugad hydel project and the Rishi Ganga Hydel Project were extensively damaged, with scores of labourers trapped in tunnels as the waters came rushing in. Later in the day, 16 men were rescued safely by ITBP personnel from a tunnel near the Tapovan dam.