A self-styled godman, 'Glacier Baba', constructed an unauthorized temple at an altitude of over 5,000 meters in a Himalayan glacier area in Uttarakhand. Authorities remained completely in the dark until villagers notified them.

The 'Godman' who lives on a glacier, illegally

A self-styled godman quietly built an unauthorised temple on government land at over 5,000 meters (16,500 feet) on the Sunderdhunga glacier in Bageshwar, Uttarakhand.

India: 'Godman' builds temple at 16,500 feet on Uttarakhand glacier

<p>Rescuers pulled out nine more bodies from the site of a flash flood in a Himalayan region of northern India on Sunday, a week after the disaster struck, bringing the death toll to 50 with more than 150 people still missing, officials said.</p>

<p>The flash flood in Uttarakhand state, triggered by what scientists said could have been a large avalanche of glacier ice, sent water, rocks and debris surging down the Dhauliganga river valley, destroying dams and bridges.</p>

<p>Rescuers are using heavy digging machinery in race to free dozens of dam construction workers trapped in an underground tunnel connected to a hydroelectric project being built by the government-owned National Thermal Power Corporation.</p>

<p>"We have not lost all hope yet. We hope to find more survivors," the top government official in the region, Swati Bhadoriya told Reuters.</p>

<p>Authorities said 154 people were still missing.</p>

<p>Experts have cautioned there could still be huge amounts of rock, debris, ice and water that could be dislodged, making rescue efforts risky.</p>

<p>Uttarakhand is prone to flash floods and landslides. The disaster has prompted calls by environmental groups for a review of power projects in the ecologically sensitive mountains.</p>

<p>A team of scientists are investigating if a piece of a Himalayan glacier did fall into the water and trigger the flood.</p>

<p>There are about 10,000 glaciers in the Indian Himalayas. Uttarakhand itself has up to 1,495 glaciers and many are receding due to the warming climate.</p>


Rescuers pulled out nine more bodies from the site of a flash flood in a Himalayan region of northern India on Sunday, a week after the disaster struck, bringing the death toll to 50 with more than 150 people still missing, officials said.

Rescuers pulled out nine more bodies from the site of a flash flood in a Himalayan region of northern India on Sunday, a week after the disaster struck, bringing the death toll to 50 with more than 150 people still missing, officials said. The flash flood in Uttarakhand state, triggered by what scientists said could have been a large avalanche of glacier ice, sent water, rocks and debris surging down the Dhauliganga river valley, destroying dams and bridges. Rescuers are using heavy digging machinery in race to free dozens of dam construction workers trapped in an underground tunnel connected to a hydroelectric project being built by the government-owned National Thermal Power Corporation. "We have not lost all hope yet. We hope to find more survivors," the top government official in the region, Swati Bhadoriya told Reuters. Authorities said 154 people were still missing. Experts have cautioned there could still be huge amounts of rock, debris, ice and water that could be dislodged, making rescue efforts risky. Uttarakhand is prone to flash floods and landslides. The disaster has prompted calls by environmental groups for a review of power projects in the ecologically sensitive mountains. A team of scientists are investigating if a piece of a Himalayan glacier did fall into the water and trigger the flood. There are about 10,000 glaciers in the Indian Himalayas. Uttarakhand itself has up to 1,495 glaciers and many are receding due to the warming climate.

Himalayan rescuers recover more bodies as flash flood death toll rises to 50

Uttarakhand glacier disaster explained What caused the Uttarakhand disaster? Avalanche or glacial lake burst in Chamoli? The big thaw: why glaciers are melting Melting ice & global consequences The catastrophe of vanishing glaciers

Watch WION Wideangle: What caused the Uttarakhand disaster?

A massive flash flood has been reported in India's Uttarakhand state, where the water level in the Dhauli Ganga river suddenly rose. The water level rose following an avalanche near a power project.

Over 170 labourers missing after glaciers breaks off in Uttarakhand, India

Uttarakhand glacial burst: Offers of help pour in from across the world

<p>Nepal on Sunday offered condolences to the families of the victims of a glacial burst in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand that has led to massive flooding in the state.</p>

<p>In a Twitter post, Nepal`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was saddened by the news of death and missing of many individuals due to the flash floods in Uttarakhand.</p>

<p><strong>Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/uttarakhand-landslide-rescue-operation-underway-after-glacier-burst-in-indian-himalayas-362117" hreflang="en">In pics: Rescue operation underway after glacier burst in Indian Himalayas</a></strong></p>

<p>"We are saddened by the news of death and missing of many individuals due to flash flood caused by an avalanche in Uttarakhand, India. We express deep condolences to the bereaved family members of the deceased and pray for the safety of those missing.@PradeepgyawaliK @PaudyalBR," tweeted MOFA Nepal.</p>

<p>A glacier broke in the Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand on Sunday led to massive flooding in Dhauliganga and Alaknanda Rivers and damaged houses and the nearby Rishiganga power project.</p>

<p>Following the incident, leaders across the world including French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Ambassador to India Satoshi Suzuki expressed condolences to the victims of the glacial burst.</p>

<p>In a tweet, the US State Department said: "Our deepest condolences to those affected by the glacier burst and landslide in India. We grieve with the family and friends of the deceased and extend our hopes for a speedy and full recovery for the injured."The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has rescued all 16 people who were trapped in the tunnel near the Tapovan area following a glacier burst.</p>

<p>The ITBP was carrying out the rescue operation at the tunnel near Tapovan dam in Chamoli to rescue trapped people. At least nine bodies have been recovered from the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) site in the Tapovan area, informed SS Deswal, Director General, ITBP.</p>

<p>"We are assuming that around 125 people are missing. The number can be higher," said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.&nbsp;</p>


Nepal on Sunday offered condolences to the families of the victims of a glacial burst in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand that has led to massive flooding in the state.

Nepal on Sunday offered condolences to the families of the victims of a glacial burst in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand that has led to massive flooding in the state. In a Twitter post, Nepal`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was saddened by the news of death and missing of many individuals due to the flash floods in Uttarakhand. Also see| In pics: Rescue operation underway after glacier burst in Indian Himalayas "We are saddened by the news of death and missing of many individuals due to flash flood caused by an avalanche in Uttarakhand, India. We express deep condolences to the bereaved family members of the deceased and pray for the safety of those missing.@PradeepgyawaliK @PaudyalBR," tweeted MOFA Nepal. A glacier broke in the Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand on Sunday led to massive flooding in Dhauliganga and Alaknanda Rivers and damaged houses and the nearby Rishiganga power project. Following the incident, leaders across the world including French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Ambassador to India Satoshi Suzuki expressed condolences to the victims of the glacial burst. In a tweet, the US State Department said: "Our deepest condolences to those affected by the glacier burst and landslide in India. We grieve with the family and friends of the deceased and extend our hopes for a speedy and full recovery for the injured."The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has rescued all 16 people who were trapped in the tunnel near the Tapovan area following a glacier burst. The ITBP was carrying out the rescue operation at the tunnel near Tapovan dam in Chamoli to rescue trapped people. At least nine bodies have been recovered from the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) site in the Tapovan area, informed SS Deswal, Director General, ITBP. "We are assuming that around 125 people are missing. The number can be higher," said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

Nepal expresses condolences to families of Uttarakhand's glacial burst victims

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{afb18846-82b1-4528-bc53-ddb8b073bed6}{56}" paraid="1117725333" >In a heartfelt effort to help the needy, <strong>Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant</strong> on Sunday said that he will donate his match-fee for the rescue efforts following a glacier burst in Uttarakhand. The youngster also urged more people to help out after the glacier burst as he expressed grief over the loss of lives in the calamity. Pant is currently playing in the first Test against England in Chennai.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{56e7b4a5-6832-468f-9171-50ce428483f8}{116}" paraid="2012383320" >"Deeply pained by the loss of life in Uttarakhand. Would like to donate my match fee for the rescue efforts and would urge more people to help out," Pant tweeted.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deeply pained by the loss of life in Uttarakhand. Would like to donate my match fee for the rescue efforts and would urge more people to help out.</p>
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) <a href="https://twitter.com/RishabhPant17/status/1358476781141991426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Social media users lavished<strong> high praise on Rishabh Pant</strong> following his heartfelt gesture to help in the rescue efforts after the glacier burst in Uttarakhand.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/west-indies-kyle-mayer-smashes-double-ton-on-debut-shatters-several-records-361977" hreflang="en">West Indies' Kyle Mayers smashes double ton on debut; shatters several records</a></strong></p>

<h2>Here are some of the reactions:</h2>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="et">Winning hearts on and off the field. Ek hi toh dil hai Pant sahab, kitni baar jeetoge.🙏❤️</p>
— Jayesh (@jayeshvk16) <a href="https://twitter.com/jayeshvk16/status/1358480996169969665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Great Gesture Rishabh Pant ❤️<br />
Immense Respect for You 🙌🇮🇳</p>
— ABHI (@DeadlyYorkers) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeadlyYorkers/status/1358485227409084416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="fr">Absolute Champion 💎</p>
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) <a href="https://twitter.com/LoyalSachinFan/status/1358485572793192448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Pant bhai <a href="https://t.co/0ezoQea9qq">pic.twitter.com/0ezoQea9qq</a></p>
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) <a href="https://twitter.com/theprayagtiwari/status/1358478207842803712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Huge Respect Sir🙏🏻 <a href="https://t.co/Fncl4wty1l">pic.twitter.com/Fncl4wty1l</a></p>
— Amit🇮🇳 (@dark__horse007) <a href="https://twitter.com/dark__horse007/status/1358477350485172225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mad respect bro ❤️</p>
— A (@_shortarmjab_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_shortarmjab_/status/1358477634548600833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pant missed out on his third Test century on Day 3 of the ongoing Test as the southpaw played a blistering knock of 91 runs. The 23-year-old stitched a 119-run partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara (73) for the fifth wicket to help India steady their innings. England had posted a mammoth 578 runs in the first innings, courtesy a fine double century by captain Joe Root.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fourteen people were confirmed dead on Monday after a chunk of glacier dislodged and unleashed a devastating flash flood in India, officials said.</p>

<p>"A total of 15 people have been rescued and 14 bodies have been recovered from different places so far," the state government of&nbsp;<strong>Uttarakhand</strong>, in the country's north, said on Twitter a day after the disaster.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/spirit-of-cricket-stuart-broads-cheeky-comment-on-iccs-post-on-virat-kohlis-gesture-towards-joe-root-361972" hreflang="en">'Spirit of cricket?': Stuart Broad's cheeky comment on ICC's post on Virat Kohli's gesture towards Joe Root</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bf4f1ed1-dc6a-45bc-9a12-2cb559bd66dd}{125}" paraid="1464509293" >On Sunday, a glacier broke in the&nbsp;Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand that triggered massive flooding in&nbsp;Dhauliganga&nbsp;and Alaknanda Rivers and damaged housed and the nearby&nbsp;Rishiganga&nbsp;power project.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b2eddaa8-a810-4e4e-9beb-480eebb26467}{97}" paraid="1926277554" >The rescue operations had to be halted in&nbsp;Dhauliganga&nbsp;due to the rise in the water level of the river.&nbsp;Tapovan&nbsp;Hydro-Electric Power Dam was completely washed off following a glacier burst in Chamoli district.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{db79f50c-9885-42ce-a6e5-bce59e15d63c}{125}" paraid="1191922597" >Furthermore, Uttarakhand Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of INR 4 lakh each to the kin of those who lost their lives due to the glacier burst.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0af89229-e871-4d51-af5a-dfdc290f8527}{154}" paraid="879982055" >"We are assuming that around 125 people are missing. The number can be higher," Rawat said. He added that the government has all the needed assistance to handle the situation for now.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0af89229-e871-4d51-af5a-dfdc290f8527}{165}" paraid="40458925" >(With ANI inputs)&nbsp;</p>


In a heartfelt effort to help the needy, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant on Sunday said that he will donate his match-fee for the rescue efforts following a glacier burst in Uttarakhand.

In a heartfelt effort to help the needy, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant on Sunday said that he will donate his match-fee for the rescue efforts following a glacier burst in Uttarakhand. The youngster also urged more people to help out after the glacier burst as he expressed grief over the loss of lives in the calamity. Pant is currently playing in the first Test against England in Chennai. "Deeply pained by the loss of life in Uttarakhand. Would like to donate my match fee for the rescue efforts and would urge more people to help out," Pant tweeted. Deeply pained by the loss of life in Uttarakhand. Would like to donate my match fee for the rescue efforts and would urge more people to help out. — Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) February 7, 2021 × Social media users lavished high praise on Rishabh Pant following his heartfelt gesture to help in the rescue efforts after the glacier burst in Uttarakhand. ALSO READ: West Indies' Kyle Mayers smashes double ton on debut; shatters several records Here are some of the reactions: Winning hearts on and off the field. Ek hi toh dil hai Pant sahab, kitni baar jeetoge.🙏❤️ — Jayesh (@jayeshvk16) February 7, 2021 × Great Gesture Rishabh Pant ❤️ Immense Respect for You 🙌🇮🇳 — ABHI (@DeadlyYorkers) February 7, 2021 × Absolute Champion 💎 — R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) February 7, 2021 × Pant bhai pic.twitter.com/0ezoQea9qq — Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) February 7, 2021 × Huge Respect Sir🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Fncl4wty1l — Amit🇮🇳 (@dark__horse007) February 7, 2021 × Mad respect bro ❤️ — A (@_shortarmjab_) February 7, 2021 × Pant missed out on his third Test century on Day 3 of the ongoing Test as the southpaw played a blistering knock of 91 runs. The 23-year-old stitched a 119-run partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara (73) for the fifth wicket to help India steady their innings. England had posted a mammoth 578 runs in the first innings, courtesy a fine double century by captain Joe Root. Fourteen people were confirmed dead on Monday after a chunk of glacier dislodged and unleashed a devastating flash flood in India, officials said. "A total of 15 people have been rescued and 14 bodies have been recovered from different places so far," the state government of Uttarakhand, in the country's north, said on Twitter a day after the disaster. ALSO READ 'Spirit of cricket?': Stuart Broad's cheeky comment on ICC's post on Virat Kohli's gesture towards Joe Root On Sunday, a glacier broke in the Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand that triggered massive flooding in Dhauliganga and Alaknanda Rivers and damaged housed and the nearby Rishiganga power project. The rescue operations had to be halted in Dhauliganga due to the rise in the water level of the river. Tapovan Hydro-Electric Power Dam was completely washed off following a glacier burst in Chamoli district. Furthermore, Uttarakhand Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of INR 4 lakh each to the kin of those who lost their lives due to the glacier burst. "We are assuming that around 125 people are missing. The number can be higher," Rawat said. He added that the government has all the needed assistance to handle the situation for now. (With ANI inputs)

Rishabh Pant's heartfelt gesture after Uttarakhand glacier burst wins hearts

Uttarakhand landslide: Rescue operation underway after glacier burst in Indian Himalayas