3 killed as heavy rains lash Haridwar, Nainital
DEHRADUN: Three people were killed and several others were injured in Haridwar and Nainital districts on Tuesday evening due to rain and storm that created havoc across the state, people familiar with the matter said.
In Haridwar district’s Jwalapur area near Ansari market, a 200-year-old tree fell and four people got buried underneath. They were rescued and sent to a government hospital.
However, a 10-year-old boy, identified as Muneer, died during the treatment, the police said. Those injured were identified as Irfan, Sameer and Harsh Chopra. Meanwhile, Irfan was referred to AIIMS Rishikesh for treatment. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Haridwar, Ajai Singh said “all four rescued were taken to a local hospital where a 10-year-old died during treatment.”
Meanwhile, in another incident, a tourist from Sonipat died after a tree fell on him near Chamgadar Tapu, he said. The victim was identified as Ram Mehar (42).
“5 people were brought here in two different incidents out of which two people died. One patient has been referred to AIIMS Rishikesh. And two people are being treated in the district hospital here”, said Dr Anas Zahid, Harmilap Mission government hospital, Haridwar.
The district magistrate (DM) and senior superintendent of police (SSP) reached the spot and took stock of the rescue operation. In Nainital’s Haldwani, a high court lawyer died after a tree fell on a car. The lawyer was identified as Tanuj Semwal
“Through wood cutter machine fallen trees and branches are being cleared. All such old and weak trees are being identified. Pruning will be also be done of tree branches, which may prove dangerous for people’s safety during storms,” said Haridwar Mayor Anita Sharma.
Meanwhile, twenty-six goats taken for grazing were killed due to lightning strikes in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand on Wednesday.
According to the officials of the disaster operation center, the goats were taken in the forest near Kamar village Tok of Bhatwadi block of Uttarkashi.
“Out of 26 dead goats, 19 belonged to shepherd Mahendra Singh, 2 goats belonged to Hukm Singh and 5 goats belonged to Narayan Singh,” said disaster operation center officials.
After getting information about the death of goats due to lightning, the team of the animal husbandry department along with the revenue team inspected the spot.
India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dehradun has issued an orange alert for May 25. The IMD said, “Thunderstorm accompanied with intense shower, lightning, hail (wind speed 60-70 kmph gusting up to 80 Kmph) likely to occur at isolated places in districts of Uttarakhand.”
For May 26, the IMD predicted, “Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty wind (40-50 kmph) likely to occur at isolated places in districts of Uttarakhand.”