UN stands to contribute to ongoing rescue efforts in Uttarakhand
What's the story
The United Nations stands ready to contribute to the ongoing rescue and assistance efforts in Uttarakhand if necessary, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.
The top leadership of the global organization expressed sadness over the loss of life and damage from the glacier burst and flooding on Sunday in the Indian state, Uttarakhand.
Details
Secretary-General expressed condolences to the families of the victims
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, said, "The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the reported loss of life and dozens missing following the glacier burst and subsequent flooding in Uttarakhand."
"The Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of India. The UN stands ready to contribute to ongoing rescue and assistance efforts if necessary," he added.
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Deeply appreciate the sentiments expressed by UN Secretary-General: TS Tirumurti
Responding to the statement by Guterres, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador TS Tirumurti said, "Deeply appreciate the sentiments expressed by UN Secretary-General on the glacier burst in Uttarakhand."
General Assembly President's statement
UN General Assembly President closely following developments in Uttarakhand
President of the UN General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir tweeted, "I'm closely following the news out of #Uttarakhand, #India, where the breaking of a glacier has led to at least nice dead & 140 missing."
"As rescue efforts continue, my thoughts are with @IndiaUNNewYork and the Indian people," he added tagging India's Permanent Mission to the UN.
Twitter Post
UNGA President's tweet on Uttarakhand flood
I’m closely following the news out of #Uttarakhand, #India, where the breaking of a glacier has led to at least 9 dead 140 missing. As rescue efforts continue, my thoughts are with @IndiaUNNewYork and the Indian people.
— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) February 7, 2021
Uttarakhand floods
14 people dead, 170 missing after the disaster
A portion of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Sunday, triggering an avalanche and a deluge in the Alaknanda river that washed away a hydroelectric station, leaving at least 14 people dead and 170 missing.
Sudden floods in the Dhauli Ganga, Rishi Ganga, and Alaknanda rivers - all intricately-linked tributaries of the Ganga - triggered panic and large-scale devastation.
Hydro projects damaged
Rishiganga hydropower project 'washed away'; three others affected
The glacier burst led to a rise in water levels in the river Rishiganga, which washed away the Rishiganga small hydro project of 13.2 MW.
Separately, the 520 MW Tapovan Vishnugad hydropower plant of state-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) was partially damaged.
Pipal Koti, the project of state-owned THDC, and Jaypee Group's Vishnuprayag project were also affected.