U'khand floods LIVE: Scientists to be airlifted to affected areas, says IAF

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday put on high alert the authorities in all districts on the banks of the Ganga and asked them to continuously monitor the water levels in the river after a glacier broke off at Joshimath in neighbouring Uttarakhand's Chamoli, triggering a massive flood there.

A team of scientists from Delhi have reached Dehradun and they will take aerial reconnaissance in areas affected by the glacier burst in Chamoli district of Uttarkhand, Indian Air Force Public Relation Officer Wing Commander Indranil Nandi on Sunday.

"All the specialised personnel who were airlifted from Delhi have reached Dehradun. The airlifting of these personnel from Dehradun onwards to the affected areas will start at 6:45 am tomorrow," Nandi said while briefing media about the ongoing rescue operation led by the IAF in the state.

Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesperson expressed the country's wishes for the safety and early rescue of the people who are missing after the Uttarakhand floods.

Indian Air Force PRO Wing Commander Indranil Nandi said that scientists with specialised equipment would visit flood affected areas for aerial reconnaissance, reports ANI.

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat tweeted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called him four times today to inquire about the flood situation in the state.

Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar said that a clear picture on the identities of the missing people working in the two tunnels could be expected by Monday morning, report PIB.

Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar said that the rescue work at the NTPC's 900-metre-long Tapovan tunnel had to be halted because of rising water level, reports PIB.

US State Department has expressed its deepest condolences and wished for the speedy recovery of those injured in the Uttarakhand floods.

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The Rishikesh-Joshimath-Mana road which was blocked at Hathipahad due to flash flood in Dhauli Ganga was reopened for traffic by Border Roads Organisation by late afternoon today, reports ANI.

ITBP says efforts to rescue around 30 people trapped in another tunnel, the tunnel number one, is underway and also confirmed that the night operations would continue.

European Union's ambassador to India Ugo Astuto has expressed solidarity after the Uttarakhand floods.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor expressed his condolences to the people affected by the Uttrakhand floods and urged the government to take preventive measures before the next disaster.

Tharoor tweeted "Saddened at the tragic news of flooding&destruction in #Uttarakhand, another reminder of the dangers of #climatechange in the fragile Himalayan ecology. Condolences &prayers for all affected. Aside from urgent relief, Govt must take preventive measures before the next disaster."

A IAF C130J Super Hercules transport aircraft carrying rescue teams and other heavy equipment on board, landed at the Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun, reported by ANI.

French president Emmanuel Macron has expressed the country's full solidarity with India after the Uttarakhand floods. He tweeted his message in reply to PM Modi, saying "Our thoughts are with them and their families."

Defence minister's office tweeted that three IAF Mi-17 helicopters have been positioned at JollyGrant to airlift NDRF teams to Joshimath.

Defence minister's office has said that an army control room has been established in Joshimath and various teams have been deployed to assist the agencies that are undertaking rescue works in Uttarakhand.

Indian army deploys four columns, two medical teams for rescue efforts in Uttarakhand, reports PTI.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot expressed his condolences to the families of those people who lost their lives in the Uttarakhand flood.

Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that 5 shepherds and 180 sheep and goats have been swept away by the flash floods and 125 or more people are also missing, reports ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia to the family of people who have lost their lives in the flood and ₹50,000 to those who have been seriously injured, the PMO tweeted.

Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat announces ₹4 lakh cash as financial assistance to family of those dead in floods.

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat addresses the media about the latest situation in the state after his visit to the flood affected sites.

ITBP has shared pictures of the rescue operations at Tapovan tunnel where 16 people trapped have been rescued.

Video of a person trapped inside the Tapovan tunnel being rescued by ITBP personnel, reported by ANI.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi said she was concerned about the 'disturbing news' of glacier break and the flooding in Uttarakhand. She had also requested Congress workers and volunteers in the region to assist in the relief efforts, reports ANI.