At least ten persons lost their lives after severe rains in Uttarakhand destroyed a concrete bridge and footbridge on the Kedarnath path. Meanwhile, the renowned Char Dham Yatra was temporarily halted due to torrential rain, which caused landslides, flooding, and widespread devastation throughout the state. As per the report by Jagran, the majorly affected areas in the state are the Jakhanyali, Ghansali, and Tehri Garhwal districts.
“All Chardham paths are open; only the Kedarnath pathway has been blocked. 100 more routes are clogged; efforts are ongoing to open them,” the State Disaster Secretary was quoted as saying. Rescue operations are underway.
Uttarakhand: The SDRF rescues Tirth Yatris in Kedarnath. #Uttarakhand #SDRF #Kedarnath pic.twitter.com/H5WqVthEkZ
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 1, 2024
On Thursday morning, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met with authorities at the State Emergency Operation Centre to assess the status of rescue and relief activities in districts affected by the downpour. During the assessment meeting, CM Dhami stated that rescue teams had been active throughout the night, transferring people to safer regions after heavy rain.
“We received information about the disruption of life in many areas across the state. Consequently, rescue teams worked through the night to move people to safer locations,” CM Dhami said. He also stated that he is in constant contact with the local authorities. He also instructed the NDRF and SDRF teams to stay on high alert.
रुद्रप्रयाग में अतिवृष्टि से प्रभावित क्षेत्रों का स्थलीय निरीक्षण कर अधिकारियों से राहत एवं बचाव कार्यों के साथ ही श्रद्धालुओं की सुरक्षा के दृष्टिगत की गई व्यवस्थाओं की जानकारी ली।
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) August 1, 2024
इस दौरान श्रद्धालुओं से बातचीत कर उनका कुशलक्षेम जाना और उन्हें सुरक्षा के लिए आश्वस्त किया। साथ… pic.twitter.com/P4fEBqaGie
“All officers should keep in mind that whatever funds are required for evacuating people from sensitive areas to safe places, relief and rescue operations, reconstruction and rehabilitation from security point of view, will be sanctioned by the government immediately. The safety of the people of the state is our priority and every possible effort will be made for this,” he said taking to X.
आपदा की वजह से अपने प्राण गंवाने वाले लोगों के परिजनों से मुलाकात कर उन्हें ढ़ाढस बंधाया। ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगतों की आत्मा को शांति एवं शोक संतप्त परिजनों को यह कष्ट सहने की शक्ति प्रदान करें। pic.twitter.com/Mbn7foyTKy
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) August 1, 2024
With heavy rainfall expected across the state, the Uttarakhand government has issued safety advice for Chardham Yatra pilgrims, urging them to postpone their treks till the weather improves. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rain alert in Uttarakhand for the next five days. A red alert has also been issued in connection with a cloudburst incident near Kedarnath.
Earlier, two individuals were found dead and another injured after going missing following a cloudburst in Jakhanyali, Ghansali, Tehri Garhwal district. The deceased were identified as Bhanu Prasad, 50, and Anita Devi, 45.
Following severe rainfall in the state, the water level of the Ganga at Rishikesh rose to 20 meters above the warning line. The police squad has also notified locals in Ganga’s adjacent coastal areas, including the Triveni Ghat. At 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, the Ganga water level in Rishikesh has reached 339.70 meters.
