Yamunotri, Badrinath highway blocked due to landslides, Uttarakhand situation grim
Uttarakhand faces disruptions with highways closed due to heavy rains and landslides. Schools in sensitive areas shift to online classes for safety. Char Dham Yatra devotees stranded.
Uttarakhand is facing a severe crisis as heavy rains and landslides continue to wreak havoc for the past week. Normal life has been severely disrupted, with overflowing rivers and inaccessible highways due to debris from landslips.
In response to the grim situation, the education department has taken a proactive step to ensure the safety of school children. Schools in sensitive areas have been directed to conduct online classes until there is complete relief from the rains and excessive rainfall. The primary concern is to safeguard the well-being of students amidst the ongoing calamity.
Several highways in Uttarakhand have been closed due to landslides and debris caused by heavy rains. The Rishikesh-Yamunotri national highway at Dharasu-band in Uttarkashi district is closed, and the road at Kalimati near Gairsain has been washed away, leading to the closure of the Karnaprayag-Gairsain national highway. The Badrinath National Highway between Nandprayag and Badrinath in Chamoli district is also closed at five locations due to landslide debris. The national highway between Badrinath and Yamunotri is equally affected and closed due to landslides triggered by recent heavy rains.
Rescue operations have been challenging as SDRF personnel are facing blockages caused by the devastation from the cloudburst that occurred on Friday and Saturday. Continuous rains have hindered the Quick Response Team from reaching certain areas due to the accumulation of stones and debris.
The weather forecast for the upcoming days remains concerning, with predictions of heavy rains in certain districts like Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli. On the other hand, Dehradun, Pauri, Chamoli, Nainital, and Bageshwar districts are likely to experience light to moderate rain.
The ongoing heavy rains and landslides have severely affected the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. Many devotees undertaking the pilgrimage find themselves stranded along the Yamunotri Highway. Some have opted to return to Gangotri Dham from Kharari Badkot, but others remain stuck due to road closures at different points.
The authorities are working tirelessly to address the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, landslides, and overflowing rivers. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing, and disaster management teams are actively engaged in the affected areas.
