Team to inspect lake and submit status report today
Sludge and water hampered the operation to reach the 25 to 35 persons stuck in the Tapovan-Vishnugad project tunnel about 10 days after disaster struck the Raini-Tapovan area of Chamoli district. However, the operation was resumed soon though no bodies were recovered in the tunnel or other disaster affected sites on Wednesday. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) the death toll stands at 58 while efforts are continuing to trace the 146 missing persons.
Meanwhile, chief secretary Om Prakash said that on Thursday morning, the ITBP DIG, Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC) director MPS Bisht, GS Rawat from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering and an SDRF official will inspect the lake formed on the Rishiganga and submit a report about the status report. He said this in a video conference chaired by the Home secretary, Government of India, Ajay Kumar Bhalla regarding the Chamoli disaster. It was stated by scientists of various departments and agencies attending the meeting that the condition of the natural lake is not dangerous at present. However, only after ascertaining the ground situation can any suitable step be taken two to three days later. Till then the existing streams from the lake should be deepened and new streams should be formed to increase the outflow of water from the lake. The USAC director informed that according to satellite data, changes are continuing to occur around the natural lake formed due to debris at Rauthidhar. These changes include the rise and drop of water, drop in the height of the debris and formation of new streams of water. Considering these, there does not appear to be any possibility of threat at present, he said.
The chief secretary said that a senior and experienced officer of the ITBP should lead a team to ensure regular monitoring of the lake and nearby area, take necessary corrective steps and for the convenience of the local residents. The directions of the team leader deputed by the ITBP will be acted upon by all local departments and agencies so that there is uniformity and clarity in all types of works. The chief secretary also directed that the team posted at the local level should observe all safety standards while undertaking work while also ensuring adequate ration at the local level.
Thursday, 18 February 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
