A natural disastrous incident of glacial burst occurred at Reni village in Chamoli district of the northern state of Uttarakhand on Sunday, February 7, 2021. A portion of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off.
What is glacial burst?
These rare instances occur when water dammed by a glacier or moraine is released. The glacier containing the body of water melts and overflows the glacier.
A glacial lake burst, or an avalanche, the impact of climate change or “development” — scientists say that they are not sure why the sudden surge of water that briefly raised fears of a repeat of the 2013 disaster in the state. Moreover, They said that satellite and Google Earth images did not show a glacial lake near the region. There was a possibility of ‘water pockets’ (lakes inside the glaciers) which might have burst.
According to recent reports, 31 people died, 171 people are missing. Of 171 people, 35 are supposed to be in the tunnel where the rescue operation is in progress. Although, Machines are now clearing the heavy slush inside the tunnel in Chamoli.
A multi-agency rescue operation including — Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) — is in full swing to release people still stuck in the tunnels. The forces have cleared a 90 meter stretch of debris in the big tunnel till now. And about 100 meters of clearing still left to do.
Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Trivendra Singh Rawat Monday visited Chamoli district and said that saving lives was their priority. He also announced Rs 4 lakh financial assistance each for the families of those killed in the mishap.
The government and all its institutions stand with Uttarakhand in this period of calamity. All help assures to extend to minimize loss of life and aid in relief efforts, PM Modi’s message to Uttarakhand.