51 persons rescued near Dhalwala as water enters houses

By Our Staff Reporter

Dehradun, 10 Aug: Persistent rains have continued to create more chaos and destruction in Uttarakhand. A wall collapsed this morning near Chaurasi Kutiya in Laxman Jhula area as a result of which two Sadhus were buried under the debris. While one of the sadhus was rescued almost immediately by the local people, the other could not. The local people continued searching for him in the debris. The SDRF was also informed which recovered the dead body of the other Sadhu after conducting a search for some time.

Late last night, at least 51 persons were rescued from a flood situation near Dhalwala village in Rishikesh after water entered houses in the area and flooded the entire colony due to continuous rains. The SDRF team was informed by Police Station Muni Ki Reti that, due to increase in the water level in Rishikesh’s Khara Pani Srot near Dhalwala, houses have been flooded and that the people are trapped inside.

Consequently, an SDRF team led by ASI Mahavir Singh reached the spot. Though it was pitch dark by then, the SDRF team managed to rescue at least 51 persons from the flooded houses. The entire rescue operation was conducted under extreme adverse conditions. The rescued persons were carried to a safe place by a raft.  Apart from this, due to water coming from the forest behind Dhalwala SBI Bank, more houses were flooded in the area. Another SDRF rescue team led by SI Sachin Rawat immediately reached the spot and took stock of the situation. The excess water was drained from the area and the danger of houses collapsing was also averted.

Meanwhile, in Kashipur (District Udham Singh Nagar), flooding and water logging of several houses was reported this morning to the SDRF by the District Disaster Management Authority after it received a call for rescue from the trapped families. One SDRF team led by Chief Constable Khim Singh reached the spot along with necessary rescue equipment. About 80 people trapped in the submerged houses were safely evacuated with the help of rafts and taken to a safe place by the SDRF team.

In Rishikesh and Haridwar, the Ganga is flowing above the danger level. Instructions have been given to all concerned to remain on high alert. The administration has issued an alert. People are being warned to be cautious. It may be recalled that the Haridwar district administration had declared a holiday today for all schools up to classes 12 in view of the forecast for very heavy rains.

The forecast issued by the State Weather Centre has issued an alert for heavy rains till 14 August. In fact, yellow and orange alerts have been issued for 12 August in several districts including Dehradun, Tehri and Pauri. The alert has been issued for Dehradun, Tehri and Pauri in Garhwal region and for Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Champawat districts in Kumaon till 14 August. After this forecast, orders have been issued by the government to the district administrations and departments concerned to remain on high alert.