Torrential rains in Uttarakhand have claimed more than 14 lives and severely injured 10 people. Due to heavy rainfall, several rivers swelled in Uttarakhand and triggered flash floods that caused several buildings to collapse in the state. Also, after the cloudburst in Kedarnath, thousands of pilgrims have been stranded in the valley and rescue operations are underway.
Heavy Rainfall & Flash Floods In Uttarakhand Claim 14 Lives
Swollen rivers, waterlogging on roads, and water and debris entering houses, heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand has caused all this and more. According to a Hindustan Times report, 14 people died and 10 were left injured due to the heavy downpours in the state on Thursday.
As per the State Emergency Operation Centre, a child was swept away in a flooded drain in Nainitial’s Haldwani and search operations are underway. In Dehradun’s Raipur area, two people drowned in a canal and the police were able to recover their bodies. Two people were swept away while bathing in a river in spate near the Sahastradhara, Hindustan Times reported.
In Haridwar’s Roorkee, a house collapsed due to heavy rains and ended up claiming four lives. A woman died in Kunkhet village, Chamoli district when debris fell from the hill on her house. All these incidents have put the authorities on high alert and they are requesting people not to go near any of the swollen water bodies in the state.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert in Uttarakhand. According to their prediction, Uttarakhand can experience very heavy rainfall till August 3.
Rescue Operations Underway In Kedarnath After Cloudburst
Due to cloudburst in Kedarnath, parts of the footpath near Bhimbali were washed away. 15 NDRF began evacuating stranded pilgrims on the route between Sonprayag and Bhimbali, ensuring their safety by swiftly creating alternative paths amidst challenging conditions.@NDRFHQ @ukcmo pic.twitter.com/R7O1XeEJkt
— 15BN NDRF GADARPUR , UDHAM SINGH NAGAR🇮🇳 (@15bnNdrf) August 1, 2024
The cloudburst in Kedarnath has left thousands of pilgrims stranded in the valley. The heavy downpours also triggered landslides in many places. As per Hindustan Times, the trek route at Ghoraparav, Lincholi, Badi Lincholi and Bhimbali are blocked by boulders. Seeing the adverse weather, officials have suspended the Kedarnath Yatra for now.
At least 10 people have died and a concrete bridge and footbridge on the #Kedarnath route have been damaged, following heavy rain in the area informed #Uttarakhand State Disaster Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman on Thursday. #himachalpradeshrains pic.twitter.com/drhrHQ3oag
— Madhuri Adnal (@madhuriadnal) August 1, 2024
The report further stated that two Indian Air Force helicopters, a Chinook and an MI 17, have been dispatched to aid rescue operations in Uttarakhand. As per the Uttarakhand police, they have been able to rescue 737 people via helicopter. As per their X (formerly Twitter) post, 2,670 passengers were taken to Sonprayag.
They went on to thank the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), District Disaster Response Force (DDRF), district police and administration teams for their continuous efforts to rescue the people. Around 12 NDRF and 60 SDRF teams are engaged in rescue work in Kedarnath.
At least 14 people killed, dozens missing and hundreds stranded as #cloudbursts wreak havoc in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, #India#Flood #Himachal #Uttarakhand #Asia #Shimla #Kullu #Manali #Flashflood #Flooding #Rain #Weather #Viral #Climate pic.twitter.com/MEkcp6R4bT
— Earth42morrow (@Earth42morrow) August 1, 2024
We hope that the weather improves in Uttarakhand soon and that the rescue teams are able to save the people struck due to the heavy rainfall.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@15bnNdrf & X/@s4sattu
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