International Desk: A Himalayan glacier broke and crashed into an Indian dam early on Sunday at Joshimath in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district triggered massive flooding of the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers.A large area has been washed away by avalanches in Uttarakhand, India.

The Himalayan landslide occurred near Nanda Devi peak in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand around 10:30 am on Sunday (February 7). It also damaged a local hydropower project and around 160 people, many of whom worked at the NTPC Power Plant and Rishiganga power plants, are still missing and presumed had been swept away.

In a tweet, Narendra Modi said, "I am constantly monitoring this unfortunate situation in Uttarakhand...India stands with Uttarakhand and the nation prays for everyone's safety."

The water level of the river is rising due to the avalanche. Numerous houses on both sides of the river have been damaged. Many workers were working there at the time of the collapse.Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Omprakash told ANI that the death toll could be between 100 and 150.

The BBC reports that a glacier erupted near the Nanda Devi peak in the Himalayas, causing severe flooding in the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers. The water level in those two rivers suddenly rose by several meters.

National and state disaster response teams have been deployed. Army columns and navy diving teams are working round - the -clock.

An team of scientists will investigate the cause of the disaster, said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

Sun News