Haridwar on alert as Ganga crosses danger mark
DEHRADUN: Seven people have lost their lives within last 24 hours in the state following incessant rains that have thrown life out of gear since Monday night.
The latest death was reported on Wednesday afternoon when a tribal man (van gujjar) died after drowning in the Asan River in Jhajra area of Dehradun district, according to officials.
Ganga has crossed the 293 meters danger mark in Haridwar even as other major rivers in the state are flowing close to the mark.
Haridwar district administration has sounded an alert and according to district magistrate Deepak Rawat, officials have been asked to focus on the lowlying areas where flooding could happen.
More than 150 roads are blocked in the state.
In Dehradun, Rispana, Asan and Bindal rivers are wreaking havoc on the downtown areas where the latest death was reported on Wednesday.
According to reports, the victim, Kaalu, had jumped into the Asan river to save his buffaloes but got caught in the swift current.
On Tuesday, six people were killed in different rain-related accidents.
The Rudraprayag district administration has stopped the Kedarnath pilgrimage till further orders.
Meanwhile, the meteorological department has predicted heavy to very heavy rains for the next 24 hours in the state as well.
Cabinet minister Madan Kaushik said, “District magistrates are authorised to take a call to close schools or halt pilgrimage...It’s a temporary arrangement and nothing to panic (about).”
IN LAST 24 HRS, SEVEN PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN U’KHAND, 150 ROADS ARE BLOCKED; HEAVY TO VERY HEAVY RAINS ARE PREDICTED IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS