The serene landscapes of Uttarakhand, often referred to as Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods), have once again been struck by the fury of nature. In a tragic turn of events, twelve people lost their lives, and six others were injured as heavy overnight rains triggered flooding, landslides, and house collapses across the state. The disaster has left a trail of destruction, bringing life to a standstill in many parts of the region.
The Impact of the Torrential Rains
The heavy rains, which began on Wednesday night, have wreaked havoc in several districts, with Haridwar, Tehri, Dehradun, and Chamoli being the worst affected. The Disaster Control Room reported that a seven-year-old child was swept away by a swollen stream in Haldwani, Nainital district, and remains missing.
In Dehradun, two individuals, Sundar Singh and Arjun Singh Rana, were swept away by an overflowing seasonal canal near the Ordnance Factory in the Raipur area. Their bodies were later recovered by rescue teams. The city witnessed water gushing into homes, leaving roads heavily waterlogged and causing severe disruptions.
Haridwar recorded the highest rainfall at 210 mm, with other regions like Raiwala, Haldwani, Roorkee, Narendra Nagar, Dhanolti, Chakrata, and Nainital also receiving significant rainfall, leading to swollen rivers and increased risk of landslides and flash floods.
Lives Lost and Homes Destroyed
The disaster claimed the lives of three members of a family in Tehri district’s Jakhanyali village. Bhanu Prasad, his wife Neelam Devi, and their son Vipin were killed in a landslide triggered by a cloudburst that destroyed their roadside restaurant. Despite efforts to rescue Vipin, he succumbed to his injuries while being transported to AIIMS Rishikesh.
In Haridwar, a house collapse in Bharpur village of Bahadarabad area led to the deaths of four people and left six others injured. Additionally, two people were electrocuted at the Roorkee bus stand due to the flooding.
Kedarnath Pilgrims Stranded
The torrential rains also caused chaos on the Kedarnath trek route, with more than 1,500 pilgrims stranded as boulders blocked the path at several locations. The Disaster Management team, along with the SDRF, NDRF, police, and district administration, swiftly launched rescue operations, evacuating 425 pilgrims by helicopter and guiding another 1,100 to safety on foot.
The trek route remains blocked, and pilgrims have been advised to wait at safe locations until the weather improves and the roads are cleared. The Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers in Rudraprayag district are dangerously close to the danger mark, prompting authorities to temporarily halt fresh registrations for the Chardham Yatra.
Government Response and Future Preparedness
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the disaster-hit areas, including Jakhanyali village, to offer condolences and assurances of support to the affected families. He directed the Tehri District Magistrate to prioritize restoring road connectivity, electricity, and drinking water supply in the affected regions to help restore normalcy.
The state government has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of its citizens and visitors. Schools up to class 12 and Anganwadi centers have been closed in several districts, including Dehradun, as a precautionary measure.
