World
14 killed, 170 missing following Uttarakhand glacier disaster in India
Rishikesh: Uttarakhand state government on Monday has stated that 14 people were confirmed dead while 170 others are still missing following a state disaster after a chunk of glacier broke off and unleashed a devastating flash flood in India.
As per details, the wall of water barreled down the valley in India's Himalayan north on Sunday morning which destroyed bridges, roads and two hydroelectric power plants.
Indian army and navy diving teams conducted several search operations today and with the main road washed away, paramilitary rescuers had to climb down a hillside on ropes to reach the entrance.
Fifteen people were rescued who were trapped in two tunnels that was cut off by the floods, mud and rocks.
According to the locals at least 170 people are reported missing were from hydroelectric power plants.
"The ground shook like an earthquake and there was a cloud of dust as the water went by," said a local inhabitant.
As per officials, two dams had been emptied to stop the flood waters from reaching the holy towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar where authorities barred people from going near the river while villages on hillsides overlooking the river were evacuated.