Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN/PAURI 6 Aug: Following the disaster in Uttarkashi, a major calamity has now struck Pauri Garhwal district. In Buransi village, two women were buried under debris, while five labourers were swept away in Bankura village this morning. Two women, Bimla Devi and Asha Devi, died after being trapped under debris from a massive landslide in Buransi village this morning. Several cattle also perished, causing heavy losses to the villagers. The intense rainfall has caused significant damage across the village, and similar reports are coming in from other parts of the state.
In nearby Saiji village, many houses have also been severely damaged. The Jan Kalyan Samajik Samiti has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and has urged the administration to provide immediate relief and assistance to the affected families. The committee has also appealed to all villagers to exercise caution and stay in safe locations.
The incessant rain has also led to an increase in the water level of the Tehri Dam Lake. According to data released by the district administration, the last 24 hours saw rainfall of 58 mm in Tehri, 75 mm in Kirtinagar, 105 mm in Dhanaulti, 13 mm in Ghansali, 90.5 mm in Devprayag, and 205 mm in Narendra Nagar.
The water level of the Tehri Lake has reached 805.94 metres, up from 803.820 metres the previous day. Approximately 380 cumecs of water is being released from the dam. The Ganga River is flowing at 461.34 metres near Ramkund-Devprayag and at 340.22 metres near Mayakund Munikireti. The Alaknanda River is at 534.40 metres in Srinagar.
The Tehri district administration has appealed to the public to avoid going near the lake. According to the officials, at least 7 state highways and 25 link roads in the Tehri district are closed. Power supply has been affected in the Pratapnagar, Chamba, Bhilangana, and Thauldhar development blocks. The Rishikesh-Gangotri Highway NH 34 is closed due to debris near Syansu and Kandasaur Paniyal. Relief and rescue teams heading to the disaster-hit areas are also stuck due to the blocked roads.
In the disaster-hit Uttarkashi district, rain continues. The road between Netala and Papargad in Bhatwadi has caved in at two places. The Gangotri highway is eroding into the river between Netala and Maneri-Ongi. It is unlikely that the road at Papargad will be cleared today.
Meanwhile in Kumaon, Shipra River near the famous Kainchi Dham temple in Nainital is reported to be in spate. The continuous downpour has led to a decrease in the number of pilgrims, from 4,000-5,000 daily to just a handful on Wednesday morning. Due to the red alert, the administration has advised people to avoid unnecessary travel.
