32 people have been confirmed dead in the tragedy hit Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

A total of 32 bodies have been recovered while authorities put the official figure of missing persons at 197.

A multi-agency rescue operation is underway comprising Army, ITBP, NDRF and SDRF.

A meeting of all agencies including ITBP, Army and local administration was also held in Joshimath to review the rescue and relief strategy on Wednesday.

ITBP personnel carried rations to Long village, which has been cut off due to flash floods.

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Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force conducted a recce of the affected areas and the glacier that burst on Sunday causing widespread devastation.

“A Chinook successfully executed a landing at Malari and an ALH landed at Tapovan after carrying out an aerial recce of Tapovan and the glacier today,” informed Indian Air Force.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar said, “Not much progress in rescue operation. We’ve recovered 32 bodies, 8 identified, 24 unknown. Rescue team also recovered 2 Uttarakhand Police personnel bodies. Can’t confirm exact number for missing & dead people but it’s between 192 & 204.”

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat thanked ITBP for transporting ration, medicine and other essentials to the affected villages.

“I have seen myself ITBP jawans walking on foot 5-6 km in hilly terrain to transport ration, medicine etc to inaccessible villages such as Jugaju and Juvagar,” said Chief Minister TS Rawat.