Due to the breach of a glacier in Tapovan area near Alaknanda river in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, the Rishiganga Power Project has suffered heavy damaged. The river water level in Dhauliganga suddenly rose as a result, reports ANI.

This resulted in a massive flood near Reni village, where many river bankside houses were destroyed. Hundreds of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel have deployed reach the village in Joshimath area of Chamoli district.

Reportedly, the Chamoli district magistrate has instructed officials to evacuate people living in villages on the bank of Dhauliganga river. The district magistrate and the superintendent of police have left for the spot.

"People are being evacuated from the areas near Alkananda. As a precautionary measure, flow of Bhagirathi River has been stopped. To prevent the flow of water of Alaknanda, Srinagar Dam and Rishikesh Dam have been emptied. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is on alert. I am leaving for the spot,” said Uttarakhand Chief Minister TS Rawat.

He said that anyone who is trapped or in the need of help can contact the numbers 1070 or 9557444486. He asked the general public to not spread panic using old videos.

He further said that the district administration, police and disaster management departments have been directed to deal with the situation, and asked the people to not pay attention to any kind of rumours. He added that the government is taking all necessary steps.

Ministry of Home MoS Nityanand Rai said that two teams of ITBP have reached the spot, three NDRF teams have been rushed from Dehradun and three additional teams will reach there with the help of Indian Air Force chopper before evening. SDRF and local administration is already on the spot.