Connectivity to vital border posts ‘restricted’ as glacier breach washes away 3 bridges in Uttarakhand

On Sunday morning, a part of Nanda Devi glacier in Uttrakhand breached and as waters rushed down the mountainsides in a raging torrent a power plant, several homes and three bridges were washed away. Of the 150 people missing, the relief workers had by 3pm recovered 10 bodies.

Among the three bridges washed away was one built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) near Malari ahead of Joshimath area, considered an important connection to forward posts. Director-General BRO Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhary has instructed officials to reinstate it at the earliest possible. Necessary stores and personnel are being moved to the location, reports ANI.

An ITBP spokesperson said, “due to the collapse of at least three bridges in Reni village, including one of the BRO, connectivity with some of their border posts has been ‘totally restricted'”, adds ANI.

The gushing water from the breach caused the water levels to rise alarmingly in Dhauliganga, Alaknanda and Rishiganga rivers. A power project on Rishiganga was washed away in the flood. “The upper reaches of the Rishiganga project also has been damaged. Chamoli, Joshimath and other downstream reaches will be affected,” SN Pradhan, DG NDRF, told ANI.

Several teams of rescuers are on the spot and relief work is on. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat also rushed to the spot to monitor the relief work.