Tapovan dam "completely washed off," says IAF

The initial survey report of IAF said that the Tapovan hydro-electric plant had been completely washed off due to the glacier burst.

According to the initial survey report of Indian Air Force, Tapovan Hydro-Electric Dam which is also known as Rishi Ganga Project,was completely washed off due to the glacier burst in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on Sunday, reported Hindustan Times. As per the reconnaissance, the dam located at the confluence of Dhauliganga and Rishiganga has been completely washed off.

The report said that the two bridges at the entrance of Malari valley and near Tapovan have also been destroyed while the main road between Joshimath to Tapovan is intact. Construction work and hutments in the area have also been destroyed. "Rubble was seen from the entrance of Nanda Devi glacier till as down as Pipalkoti and Chamoli along Dhauliganga and Alaknanda," it added.

The 520 MW Tapovan hydro-electric project, owned by the state-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited, was being constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 3,000 crore. NTPC said that the glacier burst destroyed a part of the Tapovan Vishnugad plant. The Air Force along with the Army and Navy are helping with the rescue efforts following the tragedy.