Amidst the heavy monsoon rains in Uttarakhand, a significant landslide has struck the Badrinath National Highway near the Patal Ganga Langsi tunnel, leading to road closures and halting travel for motorists. The incident, which took place on a Wednesday at 11 am, saw massive rocks and debris tumbling down the hillside, creating a hazardous situation for commuters and residents in the area. Efforts are currently underway to clear the debris and assess the extent of damage caused by the natural disaster to restore traffic flow on this crucial highway route.
The natural calamity in Chamoli district has resulted in a blockade on NH 7, affecting the travel between Joshiyama and Badrinath. The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand had to be paused due to the heavy rainfall alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), emphasizing the severity of the situation caused by the relentless downpours. The red alert issued for the state predicted persistent heavy rainfall until the current date, with districts like Tehri, Pauri, Bageshwar, Almora, Nainital, and Champawat experiencing significant precipitation.
The aftermath of the landslides due to the monsoon rains has prompted Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to conduct aerial inspections of the affected areas, where he witnessed the widespread destruction caused by the heavy rains. Moreover, the catastrophic weather conditions have led to severe flooding in various districts, impacting regions in Uttar Pradesh as well. The release of water from dams in the Himalayan state, combined with excessive rainfall in the catchment areas, has exacerbated the flooding situation, particularly in the Terai region.
River water levels in districts like Lakhimpur Kheri have surged beyond the danger mark due to water discharge from the Banbasa barrage in Uttarakhand, affecting several villages across Balrampur, Shravasti, Kushinagar, Pilibhit, Siddharthnagar, and Lakhimpur Kheri districts. In response to the crisis, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed, employing 32 boats to rescue and evacuate the affected populace to safer locations. Urging caution and vigilance, Chief Minister Dhami has directed the Disaster Management Department to monitor all districts diligently through the State Emergency Response Centre, emphasizing the critical need for continuous support and assistance during these challenging times.
