Aftera glacier broke off in Joshimath in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, the Armyhas been pressed into service to carry out rescue operations in flood-affectedareas.
The government has asked the Army to help district administration and disasterteams of the central and state government in their rescue operations. Further,Indian Air Force assets, both fixed wing as well as rotary, are on standby toprovide all possible assistance to the affected persons.
Troops have been moved towards the flood-affected areas in Dhauliganga, wherethe massive flood occurred after the glacier broke.
As per reports, the Army aviation wing has also been pressed into service tocarry out an aerial survey and evacuate trapped people. "One advance lighthelicopter and two Cheetah helicopters are evacuating persons in thearea".
Four columns of around 400 personnel of the Army have been moved toflood-affected areas, the official added.
"Indian Air Force C-130 and AN-32 aircraft are being used to airliftNational Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel," said a senior IAFofficial.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation in Uttarakhand and spoke toChief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and other top officials. He took stock ofthe rescue and relief work.
"I am constantly monitoring the unfortunate situation in Uttarakhand.India stands with Uttarakhand and the nation prays for everyone's safety there.Have been continuously speaking to senior authorities and getting updates onNDRF deployment, rescue work and relief operations," he tweeted.
The Uttarakhand CM said that the natural disaster was reported from Chamolidistrict. "The district administration, police and disaster managementdepartments have been directed to deal with the situation. Do not pay attentionto any kind of rumours. The state government is taking all necessarysteps," he wrote on Twitter.
The incident was reported near Reni village, 26 km from Joshimath. TheDhauliganga river got flooded and washed away many houses situated on the riverbanks.
The ITBP earlier said that there was some cloudburst or breaching of thereservoir at around 10 am, which resulted in the flooding in Dhauliganga -- oneof the six source streams of the Ganga river. The 85-km-long river meets theAlaknanda river at Vishnuprayag at the base of Joshimath mountain inUttarakhand.
Earlier report said that several labourers working at the Rishi Gangahydroelectric power project were feared missing after the glacier broke off.