Thursday, 29 August 2024 | PNS | UTTARKASHI
Landslide that occurred at the base of the Varunavat Parvat in the Gofiyara, Uttarkashi caused panic and chaos among locals late on Tuesday. This was the first massive landslide that occurred in Varunavat Parvat since 2003. Due to the landslide, residents from Gyanasu to Gofiyara, situated at the mountain’s foothills, were unable to sleep throughout the night. The landslide led to heavy flooding in Gofiyara, Tekhal, Kotbangla, Gyanasu and the Maingad stream. Besides this, some two-wheelers and four-wheelers parked along the roadside in the Gofiyara area were reportedly trapped and buried under the debris.
The Uttarkashi district magistrate Meharban Singh Bisht said that the landslide occurred around 11 PM on Tuesday. Intense rain caused streams to overflow, leading to waterlogging and debris accumulation on roads in areas such as Gufiyara, Gyanasu, Mainagaad and Tekhla. As a precautionary measure, areas at risk were immediately evacuated by the administration and the clearing of water and debris began overnight. The vehicles were also safely removed by the authorities. There was no major loss of life or property, as per the officials. Authorities also shifted 50-60 families residing near the Jal Sansthan office close to Gofiyara to safer places, and issued warnings for residents of all areas at the base of Varunavat. Bisht stated that the situation in the district headquarters and surrounding areas has normalised after the heavy rainfall.
The DM also ordered the deployment of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and administrative teams to the affected areas. The Uttarkashi superintendent of police Arpan Yaduvanshi also inspected the affected areas, urging people to remain alert and stay in safe locations. Due to the heavy rainfall, landslides occurred near Gufiyara but the debris was contained by a safety railing installed earlier for the Varunavat treatment, preventing it from reaching residential areas, as per the officials.
The residents who were temporarily relocated returned to their homes by the evening. The authorities restored traffic on the Gangotri route, including the Uttarkashi-Ghansali-Tilwara road. The Tekhla-Mahidanda road was also damaged and reconstruction work is ongoing. The route is expected to be reopened soon, the officials said.
