Uttarakhand: Avalanche triggers flood in Dhauliganga river; 100-150 casualties feared

According to ANI, the river flooded after an avalanche near a power project at Reni village in Chamoli's Tapovan area.

The Chamoli Police said that the Rishiganga Power Project has been damaged due to the breach of a glacier. The Joshimath-Malari bridge has been washed away, reports said.

Many river bankside houses were also destroyed, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) said.

The ITBP said that hundreds of its personnel have been deployed for the rescue of feared casualties.

The Chamoli District Magistrate has instructed officials to evacuate people living in villages on the river's bank.

The DM, the Superintendent of Police, and Uttarakhand Chief Minister TS Rawat have left for the spot.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is also on alert, Rawat said.

Rawat tweeted, "The district administration, police department, and disaster management have been ordered to deal with this disaster. Do not pay attention to any kind of rumors. The government is taking all necessary steps."

"As a precaution, the flow of Bhagirathi river has been stopped. To prevent the flow of water of Alaknanda, Srinagar Dam and Rishikesh Dam have been evacuated," he added.