Monday, 10 July 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
With torrential rain pounding Uttarakhand resulting in frequent landslides and roadblocks, the Char Dham Yatra is being affected from time to time. The rivers flowing across Uttarkashi district are now in spate as heavy rain continues. The pilgrims bound for Gangotri shrine remained stranded as massive landslides blocked the Gangotri Highway at Bandarkot. The authorities had to block the highway as boulders and debris kept on falling off the hills on the route. It is learnt that police stopped the vehicles carrying the pilgrims at safe places. This aside, about 10 metre-long stretch of Gangotri Highway near the temple of Pokhu Devta has been washed away, resulting in damage caused to the electricity poles.
The kanwadiyas who have reached Yomunotri to collect water from the holy river are also facing problems as the river is now flowing in spate being fed by heavy downpour. As there is no proper ghat to collect water from, the chances of mishaps are high. A large number of people from across north India continue arriving at Yamunotri to collect water from the holy river. Adding to woes of the kanwadiyas, the water level of Yamuna has been rising steadily with the continuance of heavy shower.
Notably, the State Met office warned of heavy shower lashing most of the districts of Uttarakhand till July 12. Mention worthy, the Met office already issued orange alert of heavy downpour for all the districts of the State from July 9-12. As per the Met warning, heavy to extremely heavy rain might pound certain places of some districts in the plains as well those in the mountainous areas.
