Tuesday, 15 August 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN/PAURI
Heavy rains and resulting factors like landslides caused death and destruction in different parts of the State since Sunday night. At least two persons died and six are missing after separate disasters in Pauri, Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts. One person died and four are missing after landslide hit a resort near Mohanchatti at 3 AM on Monday in Pauri district. One body was recovered, four persons are missing while one injured person was rescued.
The State Disaster Response Force and Revenue department personnel are undertaking rescue and relief operations at the site. The Lakshmanjhula police rescued 80 persons from Ganga Bhogpur Talla village and nearby areas after they got stranded due to continuous rains causing flooding in the area. In Kotdwar, it is reported that about half a dozen homes on the banks of the Kho collapsed due to erosion caused by the river in spate. In Rudraprayag district, the Rashi Gaundar bridge on the bridle path to Madmaheshwar collapsed leaving upto 150 persons stranded. Personnel of the SDRF and others began rescue and relief operations on receiving information about the mishap.
In the Arakot area of Uttarkashi district, one woman is missing in a nullah, three buildings and two cowsheds were destroyed, 12 domesticated animals were killed and two foot bridges were damaged following heavy rain on Sunday night. In the Tehri district, 114 persons were rescued after getting stuck in a railway tunnel due to debris and water following heavy rains in Shivpuri area. In Chamoli district, debris resulted in the death of one person following heavy rains in the Peepalkoti area where vehicles and property also suffered damage due to debris.
Meanwhile, at least 307 roads were reported to be blocked in various parts of the State. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), one national highway, four state highways and 24 rural motor roads were blocked in Rudraprayag district. In Pauri district, one national highway, four State highways, six main district roads and 42 rural motor roads were blocked while one national highway, three state highways, one main district road, one other district road and 45 rural motor roads were blocked in Dehradun district. One State highway, three main district roads and eight rural motor roads were blocked in Uttarkashi district while two national highways, two state highways, one main district road and 35 rural motor roads were blocked in Tehri district. In Haridwar, the Ganga was flowing more than a metre above the danger level at 295.30 metres on Monday evening.
In Chamoli district, the Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway was blocked at various locations while one national highway, one state highway, one main district road, two other district roads and 31 rural motor roads were also blocked in the district. Nine rural motor roads were blocked in Almora district, four state highways, two main district roads and 20 rural motor roads were blocked in Nainital district and two main district roads along with nine rural motor roads were blocked in Bageshwar district. Two state highways and 17 rural motor roads were blocked in Champawat district while four border roads and 15 rural motor roads were blocked in Pithoragarh district.
