U’khand continues to reel as heavy rains disrupt life
DEHRADUN/RUDRAPUR/MUSSOORIE: Heavy rains continue to lash different parts of Uttarakhand with the state recording 9.7mm rain against a normal of around 15.5mm over the last 24 hours.
Despite a decline in rainfall compared to last week, the districts which reported maximum rain in last 24 hours include Pauri (18.2mm), Dehradun (17.2mm), Uttarkashi (13mm), Pithoragarh(8.3mm), Almora (13.4mm) and Chamoli (9.1mm).
Overall, since June 1, the state has reported 644.7mm rainfall, with a departure of 7% from the normal for this period of the year.
The maximum temperatures in the state however remained above normal, while minimum temperatures remained normal to above normal. Maximum temperature of 34.9°C was recorded in US Nagar and minimum temperature of 15.0°C was recorded in Nainital.
In Dehradun’s Laxman Chowk area, the roof of a house collapsed on Sunday morning. However, no loss of life was reported.
In Champawat district, Jal police recovered the body of a 16-year-old boy from Gandhak river on Sunday morning. He had been reported missing from
Saturday. His bike was spotted near the river after which search operation was initiated.
Several areas in Mussoorie were inundated due to overnight rains resulting in damage to roads and protective walls on Sunday. The protective wall and a road stretch near Dhoran village was washed away.
Cabinet minister and local MLA Ganesh Joshi, who rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation, directed the officials to initiate the repair work without any delay. Joshi said the officials concerned have been directed to assess the damage and start the repair work on urgent basis. An alternate route has been opened for the villagers who were cut off from main town of Dehradun due to the damage, he said, adding, no loss of life has been reported so far.
Plain areas of Kumaon division got some respite from the incessant rain while hilly areas are still reeling under the bad weather.
In Bageshwar district, six houses collapsed due to rain and one temple is in danger of collapsing as the land on one of its sides has caved in.
Dharchula-Munsiyari road was closed on Sunday due to accumulation of debris on the road near Gwalgaon due to landslides.
The all weather road was opened on the eighth day near Bharoti village in Champawat district. In Almora, a road caved in near Akashwani area. Due to this, traffic movement on the stretch has been suspended till August 8.
Amid heavy rains, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall over next two days with intense spells likely to occur at isolated places in Uttarakhand.
For August 2, IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Champawat, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts.
In view of the warning, IMD Dehradun centre in its advisory has sounded an alert of medium to major landslides and road blockages in hills, significant increase in water level in rivulets and rivers, and water logging in low lying areas. People are advised to be alert and avoid unnecessary movement, added the advisory.