Satellite pictures after the glacier burst have shown that a dangerous lake is formed by the debris of the avalanche. Many people died and more than 200 are still missing. Reportedly, the officials of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are chalking out a plan to avert any upcoming disaster due to the dangerous lake.
NDRF Director General, SN Pradhan said, "This matter has been taken cognizance of. As we speak, teams are already on the way to the lake side to assess the situation, take a review. Earlier in the morning, teams have overflown the area in choppers and found out.... Even drones, unmanned flights, stakeholder agencies are doing the review of the exact situation on the ground."
"There's concerted effort to see what's on ground, make an assessment, and follow it up with appropriate action. We're on the job," Pradhan added.
The artificial lake is said to be thrice the length of a football field. A block on the Rishi Ganga after the glacier broke off has been identified by the satellite images. It is fed by the water from Ronti river.
The experts are worried because water can pierce the debris and result could be another flood like situation in the area. The NDRF Chief said, "We have measured the width and the length of the lake, the wall of debris. That's all coming through, the parameters on which we can act."
YP Sundrial, a professor of Garhwal university who went to assess the aftermath of disaster said the formation of lake is worrying. "Right now I am standing at the confluence of the northeast stream and the Rishganga river. The flood started from the northeast stream. The landslide caused temporary damming and blocked the Rishganga river," added Sundrial.
The expert further noted that the lake can be breached anytime. It can cause more floods. "This can impact rescue work. Rescuers downstream may be in danger, so I am going to try and ensure that the message reaches the administration," said Sundrial.