Tragic Rainfall Strikes Uttarakhand, Kedarnath Yatra Halted
Posted by admin on 2024-08-02 |
Fourteen people lost their lives, and 10 others sustained injuries as relentless overnight rains led to flooding and a devastating house collapse in Uttarakhand on Thursday. The torrential downpour caused several rivers to overflow, escalating the situation further.
Kedarnath Yatra Suspended Due to Harsh Weather
In response to the severe weather conditions, the Uttarakhand government has decided to suspend the Kedarnath Yatra, according to reports from news agency ANI. The persistent heavy rainfall has triggered landslides at numerous locations, leaving the trek route blocked by boulders at Ghoraparav, Lincholi, Badi Lincholi, and Bhimbali, as confirmed by officials.
Central Government Deploys Rescue Helicopters
Following an assessment of the situation by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Centre has dispatched two Indian Air Force helicopters, including a Chinook and an MI 17, to support ongoing rescue operations in the state. This step was taken after an official statement from the Uttarakhand government highlighted the need for urgent assistance due to the relentless showers.
Advisory Issued for Chardham Yatra Pilgrims
The Uttarakhand government has issued a safety advisory for pilgrims undertaking the Chardham Yatra, as reported by ANI. Authorities are urging devotees to postpone their journeys until the weather improves and to remain in safe locations for the time being.
Chief Minister's Appeal for Caution
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has made a public appeal for residents to avoid leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary. He also emphasized that officials must stay vigilant, reiterating that the safety of both the local population and travelers remains his top priority.
Schools Closed Amid Heavy Rain Alert
Due to the heavy rain alert, authorities have ordered the closure of schools from classes 1 to 12 in the districts of Dehradun and Nainital.
Red Alert Issued Across Several Districts
The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued a red alert, predicting extremely heavy rainfall across seven districts in Uttarakhand. These districts include Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Champawat.
Rescue Operations and Rainfall Statistics
Rescue teams have managed to bring 425 pilgrims to safety via helicopters from Lincholi and Bhimbali. Additionally, 1,100 pilgrims have been guided to Sonprayag on foot with the help of rescue teams, according to police sources.
Recent data from the meteorological department indicates significant rainfall in various parts of the state, with Dehradun recording 172 mm, Haridwar's Roshanabad 210 mm, Raiwala 163 mm, Haldwani 140 mm, Roorkee 112 mm, Narendra Nagar 107 mm, Dhanolti 98 mm, Chakrata 92 mm, and Nainital 89 mm.
