As per suggestion from an initial observation by scientists at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, a hanging glacier collapsed that caused the flash flood in Uttarakkhand two days ago.

The director of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Kalachand Sain said, “The event happened in a hanging glacier, adjacent to Raunthi glacier, which originates from Raunthi/Mrigudhani peak (6,063 metres above sea level)”.

According to the observations, rock masses got weak in due time because of freezing and thawing of snow which must have led to the formation of a “weak zone”, and the collapse got triggered. As a result, a temporary dam got formed that broke at the end and caused the devastating floods.

Two teams of five glaciologists are investigating the incident. A helicopter survey was also carried out on Tuesday.

The glaciers provide the Rishiganga River, which meets the Dhualiganga River.

Six more bodies were recovered; the death toll stands at 32 in the Uttarakhand disaster, said officials on Tuesday. Multiple agencies tried to reach about 30 workers trapped inside a tunnel at a power project site and 174 people remained missing.

Around 600 rescue workers are engaged in the operation, two days after an avalanche or glacier burst triggered sudden flood in the Alaknanda river system in Chamoli district.