Heavy rains in Uttarakhand leave four dead

Personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) conducted a rescue operation in an area affected by a landslide, in Champawat, Saturday (September 14, 2024). | Photo Credit: ANI

Four people were killed and two others were missing as heavy rain lashed Uttarakhand, especially Kumaon region, while 478 roads, including national highways, were blocked due to landslides at various places.

A woman, identified as Devki Devi Upadhyaya (75), was killed when heavy rains caused part of her house to collapse, burying her under debris near a Buddhist temple in Gankot village on Friday (September 13, 2024).

In another incident in Pithoragarh’s Gankot, 22-year-old Vipin Kumar was killed in a landslide.

According to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), a 45-year-old tourist from Jalandhar, Punjab, died due to lack of oxygen while visiting Jyolingkang village in the higher Himalayan region of Dharchula in Pithoragarh district.

Due to heavy rains in Dhorja village of Lohaghat, a woman died when the roof of her cowshed collapsed. The victim has been identified as 58-year-old Madhavi Devi.

Another incident took place in Matiani Lohaghat village where a woman was killed in a landslide. The deceased woman has been identified as 60-year-old Shanti Devi. A man named Jagdish Singh has gone missing in the incident.

Gurnam Singh, 38, who was cutting fodder in his paddy field at Kondha Ashraf village in Udhamsingh Nagar district, went missing after the water level of the nearby Kailash river rose.

According to SEOC, incessant rains have caused flooding in many places and around 500 people have been evacuated to safer places.

According to information received from the State Emergency Operations Centre, Haldwani in Kumaon region received 337 mm of rain, Nainital 248 mm, Champawat 180 mm, Chorgalia 149 mm and Rudrapur 127 mm in the 24-hour period till 8.30 am on Saturday (September 14). , 2024).

Heavy rains also triggered landslides along the Badrinath National Highway on Saturday (September 14, 2024), blocking roads in Lambagad, Nandprayag, Sonala, and Kunj Barrage.

The alternative route between Sakot and Nandprayag has also been blocked due to landslides.

In a statement, Chamoli Police said, “Due to heavy rains in the district, landslides occurred at many places on Badrinath National Highway, as the road was repeatedly blocked. Travelers were stopped at safe places by Chamoli Police for safety.

Earlier, police said on social media that the highway was blocked in Kameda (Gauchar), Nandprayag, and Chhinka, disrupting traffic in the area.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for some southern districts of Uttarakhand and an orange alert for other parts. According to the IMD, the depression over northwest Uttar Pradesh is expected to become a low pressure area within 12 hours.

This weather system centered near Bareilly, will cause scattered clouds and ‘intense convection’ over southern Uttarakhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh. North Uttarakhand, east Rajasthan, and north-west Madhya Pradesh will also experience ‘moderate to intense convection’ with rain and gusty winds predicted.

The IMD reported that the depression was tracked by radar in Delhi and Lucknow, and had wind speeds of 20 to 30 knots. This system is expected to weaken as it moves northeast.

Meanwhile, in Nainital district, incessant rain has closed roads, including the Haldwani-Sitarganj road, due to waterlogging in Shernala area. Travelers are advised to take alternative routes and avoid travel until conditions improve.

In the 24 hours until 8:30 Saturday morning (September 14, 2024), Dhari received 105 mm of rain, Kaladhungi 97 mm. mm, Pithoragarh recorded 93 mm, Jageshwar 89.50 mm, Kichcha 85 mm, Sitlakhet 75.5 mm, Kanalichina 75 mm, Banbasa 71 mm, Salt 66.5 mm, Sitarganj 66 mm and Almora 60 mm.