RISHIKESH, Feb 7: Hundred and fifty people are feared dead in a flash flood caused by a glacier burst in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on Sunday morning. Sixteen people have been rescued and seven bodies recovered till late in the evening. NDRF and ITBP teams are continuing search and rescue operation.

A part of the Nanda Devi glacier had broken off at Joshimath in Chamoli district earlier in the day, leading to the massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river. The 16 rescued were workers trapped in a tunnel near Rishi Ganga dam. Over 125 workers of the Tapovan-Reni power project are feared dead. The Rishi Ganga hydel project has been washed away.

Human settlements on the path of the crashing glacier are feared to have been destroyed as water rushed down the mountainside. A bridge in Reni village also collapsed. There are no reports of casualties among the local inhabitants.

No contact could be established with the workers at another tunnel upstream. Around 30 people were working there. The debris and sludge is hampering rescue work. The IAF flew NDRF personnel by two helicopters from Dehradun to the affected area.

The IAF tweeted: "Two IAF C-130 aircraft from AFS Hindan have positioned @NDRFHQ teams at Dehradun, where Mi-17 & ALH helicopters are deployed for onward deployment to Joshimath. An additional ALH deployed at Joshimath has undertaken reccee of affected areas."

The army has deployed two columns from Joshimath and two more from Auli. Two columns are on standby. Engineering Task Force with two JCBs have been deployed. A Medical Column with two ambulances are on standby. Two Cheetah helicopters are also deployed. A control room has been established at Joshimath. The Navy too has sent seven diving teams.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Am constantly monitoring the unfortunate situation in Uttarakhand. India stands with Uttarakhand and the nation prays for everyone’s safety there. Have been continuously speaking to senior authorities and getting updates on NDRF deployment, rescue work and relief operations."