High Alert post Glacier burst: New lake forms in Uttarakhand, water level up in Raini village

Satellite pictures after the glacier burst have shownthat a dangerous lake is formed by the debris of the avalanche. Many peopledied and more than 200 are still missing. Reportedly, the officials of DefenceResearch and Development Organization (DRDO) and National Disaster ResponseForce (NDRF) are chalking out a plan to avert any upcoming disaster due to thedangerous lake.

NDRF Director General, SN Pradhan said, "This matterhas been taken cognizance of. As we speak, teams are already on the way to thelake side to assess the situation, take a review. Earlier in the morning, teamshave overflown the area in choppers and found out.... Even drones, unmannedflights, stakeholder agencies are doing the review of the exact situation onthe ground."

"There's concerted effort to see what's on ground,make an assessment, and follow it up with appropriate action. We're on thejob," Pradhan added.

The artificial lake is said to be thrice the length of afootball field. A block on the Rishi Ganga after the glacier broke off has beenidentified by the satellite images. It is fed by the water from Ronti river.

The experts are worried because water can pierce thedebris and result could be another flood like situation in the area. The NDRFChief said, "We have measured the width and the length of the lake, thewall of debris. That's all coming through, the parameters on which we can act."

YP Sundrial, a professor of Garhwal university who wentto assess the aftermath of disaster said the formation of lake is worrying. "Rightnow I am standing at the confluence of the northeast stream and the Rishgangariver. The flood started from the northeast stream. The landslide causedtemporary damming and blocked the Rishganga river," added Sundrial.

The expert further noted that the lake can be breachedanytime. It can cause more floods. "This can impact rescue work. Rescuersdownstream may be in danger, so I am going to try and ensure that the messagereaches the administration," said Sundrial.