Dehradun, February 8, 2021: According to a preliminary report by the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Tapovan hydro-electric power dam, identified as the RishiGanga Project, has completely collapsed after the glacier burst in Chamoli district on Sunday morning.

The report states that “The dam is called Tapovan Hydro-Electric Power Dam. It is at the confluence of Dhauli Ganga and RishiGanga. It was completely washed away.”

It added that two bridges have also been swept at the entrance of Malari Valley and Tapovan, while the main road between Joshimath to Tapovan remains intact. This report said that construction work and huts in the valley have been damaged. Debris was observed from the entrance of Naladevi glacier to Pipalkoti and Chamoli as well as below Dhauliganga and Alaknanda.

The IAF said that an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) stationed at Joshimath had recced the affected areas. Two IAF C-130 aircraft from Air Force Station Hindon have deployed NDRF teams in Dehradun, where Mi-17 and ALH helicopters are stationed at Joshimath for onward deployment. An additional ALH stationed at Joshimath has reviewed the affected areas.