Himalayan glaciers fall into rivers, causing rapids
Minister of Water Resources Criticizes Climate Change and Power Generation Projects
At least 200 people disappeared as glaciers fell and rapids poured down from Mt. Nandadebi (7,817m) in the Himalayas in northern India. The disaster authorities said, “I am concerned that all those missing have died.
According to Indian media and the Associated Press on the 7th, a glacier fell into the upper valley of the river in the morning of the morning in Nandadevi National Park in Uttarakhand state, hitting the Dauri and Lishi rivers. The glaciers generated rapid rapids like a’tsunami’ along the coast, damaging two hydroelectric power plant construction sites near the dam, and sweeping roads and bridges down the river down the valley. Witnesses explained the situation at the time, “There was an avalanche mixed with glaciers with a roaring noise, and rapid rapids occurred without warning.” Another witness said, “Where the torrents passed, only dust remained, and the ground shook like an earthquake.”
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In the early days of the incident, a glacier struck the dam, but it did not hit the dam, but the glacier fell upstream of the river, causing a rapid current. Disaster authorities estimated that at least 200 people, including 50 workers in the construction of the Lishiganga hydroelectric power plant, 150 workers at the Tapoban hydropower plant, and village residents, were missing. Some media reported about 125 people missing. To date, seven bodies have been recovered. Hundreds of military, police, and disaster response teams were rapidly dispatched to the flood site. The Indian Air Force was also put into the air search. Rescue officials said, “It seems that there are about 20 people trapped in the tunnel, but the tunnel is full of mud and rocks,” and said, “The main road was lost, and rescuers are trying to get into the hill with ropes.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on his social network service (SNS), saying, “We are closely monitoring the situation of the accidents,” and “Wish everyone’s safety.”
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Meanwhile, in June 2013, a record heavy rain poured in Uttarakhand Province, a landslide and flood called the Himalayan Tsunami occurred, killing nearly 6,000 people. Nandadevi National Park has 14 glaciers adjacent to the river, and climate change and deforestation are raising the likelihood of glacial accidents. Environmental organizations said, “Avalanches and landslides often occur in this area.” “Climate change as well as difficult development such as roads, railroads, and power plants in ecologically sensitive areas can induce such accidents. We are working on large-scale river valley projects.” I object,” he appealed.
The reason why the glacier fell from Mt. Nandadebi is not yet known, but glaciers in the Himalayas have long since melted due to global warming, raising concerns about the threat of a’tsunami’ caused by flooding of mountain lakes and rivers. Former Indian Water Resources Minister Uma Bati criticized the hydroelectric power plant construction project, saying, “When the minister was in office, the Himalayas were very sensitive and insisted that power plants should not be built.”
/ Intern reporter Hyein Lee [email protected]
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