Dehradun: 4 July 2024
The Uttarakhand Meteorological Department has forecasted heavy to very heavy rain across several districts, including Champawat, Almora, Pithoragarh, Udham Singh Nagar in the Kumaon region on Friday and Saturday this week.
Uttarakhand has been severely impacted by heavy rainfall, leading to the closure of over 100 roads and prompting authorities to issue a red alert as major rivers, including the Ganga, Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Sarada, Mandakini, and Kosi, are flowing above danger levels.
The Uttarakhand Meteorological Department has forecasted heavy to very heavy rain across several districts, including Champawat, Almora, Pithoragarh, Udham Singh Nagar in the Kumaon region. An orange alert is in place for Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal and Haridwar districts in Garhwal region.
The ecologically fragile Uttarakhand faces yet another massive landslide in Pithoragarh’s Dharchula area. The entire stretch of the Tawaghat road has reportedly been blocked because of it.
According to a Doordarshan (DD) report, Tawaghat road has been blocked near Rongti Nala due to landslide in Dharchula of Pithoragarh. “Work to open the road is going on.”
A massive landslide at Raongti Nala on the Dharchula-Lipulekh highway cut off 30 villages in the Darma, Chaudas, and Byas valleys from the rest of the state on Wednesday. This highway, leading to Adi Kailash, has suspended pilgrimages since June 25 due to heavy rains.
Landslides result in road blockage, authorities on high alert
Similarly, 21 roads in Pithoragarh remained blocked due to rain-triggered landslides, according to the District’s Disaster Emergency operation centre, the report further said. Landslides also blocked the Badrinath and Yamunotri highways at Pagal Nala near Lambagad in Chamoli and near Dabarkot in Uttarkashi, respectively.
The Public Works Department (PWD) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are working to reopen the blocked highways. The report stated similar conditions in Bageshwar, with continuous rainfall since Tuesday, resulting in the closure of 24 roads and reports of debris entering homes.
All schools to remain shut in Nainital
All schools in Nainital will be closed on Friday following a weather alert for heavy rain. The Meteorological Department has forecasted thunder, lightning and heavy to very heavy rain in isolated areas of Nainital district on Friday and Saturday. Consequently, an order from the Nainital district magistrate mandates the closure of all government, government-aided, private schools from classes 1 to 12 and Anganwadi Kendras on Friday.
All schools were also closed in Bageshwar district due to rain by district administration due to continuous rain. More than 100 mm of rain has fallen in Kapkot, rivers are in spate, more than a dozen roads are covered with debris..
Failure of Dhami Government
Amidst Uttarakhand’s history of fatal landslides each monsoon, netizens have questioned the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government’s readiness for the 2024 monsoon season.
“Presently, the governments are blindly aping the NCR model of development/disaster by allowing unmindful construction, mainly private ones. The fragile eco system of Uttarakhand is not in their minds. It’s a lack of foresight & vision coupled with the vested interests of people!” a user said.
State Highway and 15 Roads closed in Pauri Garhwal
The PWD is working to open these roads and people are stuck in their villages due to debris on the the roads. JCBs are working to open the roads for public in Pauri Garhwal district.