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Dalai Lama offers sympathy to flood victims, donates to relief efforts

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Rescue and relief personnel at work in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand district (India TV/photo)

By Tenzin Dharpo

DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 10: Exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wednesday offered his sympathy and condolences to the victims and affected people in Uttarakhand state where a glacial burst caused massive floods in Chamoli district on Sunday morning.

The octogenarian Tibetan leader wrote to the Chief Minister of the state Trivendra Singh Rawat, “to tell him that how sad he is about the loss of life, and also how concerned he is about those who are still missing”, his office stated.

The Dalai Lama wrote, “I offer my condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and pray for them. I also pray for the safety and well being of those who are still missing.

“I understand that both the Central and the State Governments are engaged in rescue work and are doing their utmost to provide relief to people affected by this calamity. As a gesture of solidarity with the people of Uttarakhand, I have asked the Dalai Lama Trust to make a donation towards the relief and rescue efforts.”

14 people have been killed and over 200 are missing after a portion of Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Tapovan area of Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, causing the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers to flood, sources said.  Thousands have been evacuated and properties as well as infrastructures such as power projects sustained heavy damages, government sources said.

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