Eight people have died due to heavy rainfall and cloudbursts in Uttarakhand. Several people are missing. Roads are blocked due to landslides, and houses have been destroyed. Administration and rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations.
Uttarakhand Rains Cloudbursts: Continuous heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand since Thursday night has disrupted normal life. Devastation has emerged due to cloudburst incidents in Chamoli, Rudraprayag, New Tehri, and Bageshwar districts. Landslides are occurring at various places in the hilly areas. Houses and vehicles have been buried under debris. Many families have been rendered homeless. Relief and rescue teams are continuously engaged in the affected areas.
Death Toll Rises, Several Missing
A major accident occurred in Posari village of Bageshwar district due to landslides. A building collapsed, resulting in the deaths of five people. In Deval Mopata village of Chamoli district, a couple lost their lives due to landslides. In Bareth Dungar Toke of Rudraprayag district, a woman died in a landslide. Eight people are still missing, including four laborers from Nepal.
Roads Closed, Traffic Halted
Several major roads have been closed due to heavy rainfall and landslides. The Gangotri and Yamunotri highways in Uttarkashi district are completely blocked. Traffic has also been halted on the Haldwani-Bhimtal highway near Ranibagh due to debris falling. The water level of the Alaknanda River in Srinagar has reached the danger mark.
Challenges for Rescue Teams
SDRF, NDRF, and police teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. Rescue operations are facing difficulties due to broken paths in many areas. It is feared that eight people might be trapped under debris in the Chhenagaad region. Teams had to reach late due to road breaches at seven to eight places here.
Schools Closed, Weather Department Alert
The administration has declared holidays in schools in five districts. The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for the next 24 hours. People have been advised not to go near rivers and streams.
Chief Minister's Meeting, Relief Efforts Intensified
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed the District Magistrates of the disaster-affected districts to expedite relief and rehabilitation work by staying in touch. He reviewed the entire situation by holding a meeting with senior officials at his residence.
