It has been recently reported that the second wave of Mi-17 & Chinook helicopters has been launched from Dehradun for Joshimath with rescue & relief teams on board. IAF Task Force Commander is coordinating with state authorities such as SDRF and NDRF for ongoing HADR (Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief) efforts.
On Feb 7th, after a portion of the dam of the power project on the Rishiganga river was destroyed, caused a massive overflow of water in the nearby Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, damaging property and infrastructure in the area. Rescue and relief work in the disaster-hit areas of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand gathered pace on Monday. A multi-agency operation continued to save people trapped inside the tunnels of two hydel projects that were badly damaged by the Sunday morning glacier burst-triggered deluge. As soon as the disaster took place, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, and IAF were deployed to control the situation. More than 100 people have been recused by the security forces so far, however, according to recent reports, 14 people have lost their lives. Officials told IANS that a total of 27 people have been rescued so far. Fifteen people were rescued this morning while 12 others were taken out from the debris last evening.
Jawans of the army, ITBP, NDRF, and SDRF with rescue equipment entered the tunnel with sniffer dogs in what is seen as the biggest rescue operation in the hill state since the 2013 Kedarnath disaster in which over 5,000 people were killed.
