Landslides reported from many places in state, CM orders high alert
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Aug: Continuous heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand has once again disrupted normal life, pushing several major rivers close to or above the danger mark, triggering widespread landslides and forcing the closure of 179 roads across the state. With forecasts indicating more heavy rain, the state government has placed all disaster management and relief agencies on high alert. The authorities claimed to have stepped up surveillance of vulnerable areas and begun issuing warnings to the residents living along riverbanks.
The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD’s) Weather Centre in Dehradun had issued an Orange Alert for heavy rainfall in Dehradun, Chamoli and Bageshwar districts, while the remaining districts were placed under a Yellow Alert for today. The forecast proved to be accurate as heavy rain lashed several parts of the state from last night onwards, causing the rivers to swell rapidly, disrupting road connectivity and increasing the risk of landslides and flash floods.
Taking serious note of the prevailing situation and the weather warnings, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman and reviewed the situation across various districts. He directed all the disaster management, relief and emergency response agencies to remain on high alert and ensure continuous monitoring of vulnerable locations. The CM also directed the officials to keep a close watch on the water levels of rivers and streams and immediately shift people from vulnerable areas to safer locations wherever necessary.
Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said that the Orange Alert remains in force for Dehradun, Chamoli and Bageshwar, while all other districts continue under a Yellow Alert. He said all the departments concerned have been instructed to remain fully prepared as the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) continues to monitor the evolving situation round the clock.
The rising water levels in several major rivers have become a cause for concern. At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi River was reported this evening to be flowing at 462.40 metres, above the warning level of 462 metres. In Rudraprayag, the Alaknanda River touched 627.80 metres, exceeding the danger mark of 627 metres, while the Mandakini River rose to 626.60 metres, above its danger level of 626 metres. At the Rudraprayag confluence, the Alaknanda was flowing at 623.45 metres, close to the warning mark. In Dharchula, the Kali River reached 889.04 metres, marginally above the warning level of 889 metres. In Haridwar, the Ganga was recorded at 292.75 metres at 9 a.m. this morning only 25 centimetres below the warning level of 293 metres, before rising further to touch the warning mark later today. The danger level for the Ganga at Haridwar is 294 metres.
The Alaknanda and Mandakini flowing above danger levels prompted district authorities in Rudraprayag to issue repeated public warnings through the loudspeakers, advising the residents to stay away from riverbanks and avoid venturing near the swollen rivers. During the past 24 hours, Ukhimath received 53.30 mm of rainfall, Jakholi 59 mm and Rudraprayag town 16 mm, contributing to the sharp rise in river levels.
In view of the rapidly changing conditions, disaster management authorities have directed the district administrations to continuously alert people living near rivers and streams through loudspeakers and sirens. Officials fear that, if heavy rainfall continues, several rivers may witness a further rise in water levels.
The continuing rain has also triggered widespread landslides across the hill districts, severely affecting road connectivity. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, 179 roads remain closed across Uttarakhand. Since the onset of the monsoon, more than 1,869 roads have been blocked due to rain-related incidents, of which about 1,690 have been reopened, while efforts are continuing to restore connectivity on the remaining roads.
Several important highways continue to face repeated disruptions. The Rishikesh-Yamunotri National Highway (NH-134) remains blocked at Sillai Bend, Junglechatti and Syanachatti after fresh landslides and debris. The Yamunotri Highway remains blocked at multiple locations, including Sillai Band, Durbil Band and Jangalchatti, leaving the pilgrims and the local residents stranded. Frequent landslides and continuous rockfall have hampered restoration work.
Another stretch near Durbil has also remains unsafe because of continuous rockfall. Yesterday, two Kanwar pilgrims from UP narrowly escaped a major accident near Sillai Bend when rocks and debris suddenly came crashing down from the hillside. The pilgrims abandoned their motorcycle and ran to safety. Eyewitnesses said traffic resumed cautiously only after the landslide activity subsided. The residents have demanded installation of lighting at vulnerable stretches such as Sillai Bend.
The Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway (NH-34) remains partially affected near Papadagad, with movement of small vehicles restored while work continues to reopen the route for heavy vehicles. The Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway (NH-7) was blocked near Helang following fresh debris, while the Karnaprayag-Tharali-Gwaldam National Highway (NH-109) remained closed near Aamsaud after a rockslide. The Tawaghat-Gunji Border Roads Organisation highway was blocked at multiple locations, including kilometres 61, 86 and 87, while the Dharchula-Tawaghat highway remained closed near Koolagad. The Gangotri National Highway was also disrupted near Dharasu Nala Pani, and the Kalsi-Chakrata State Highway-20 was blocked near Jhajhred due to landslide debris.
Fresh disruptions were also reported on several other important roads. The Simli-Gwaldam Highway was completely blocked near Aamsaud between Bagoli and Nalgaon after a massive rockslide. Continuous rainfall has made road restoration difficult even for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The closure has severely affected the Pindar Valley, disrupting supplies of milk, vegetables and other essential commodities. Long-distance bus services remained suspended and electricity supply was interrupted in several areas from Thursday morning. The Pindar River also approached the danger level, adding to local concerns.
On the Kedarnath National Highway, heavy debris brought down by a swollen seasonal stream temporarily blocked traffic near Tilwara market in Rudraprayag district. NHAI personnel later deployed excavators to clear the debris and restore vehicular movement.
In Tehri district’s Bhilangana valley, continuous torrential rain triggered a major landslide in Ghuttu market late on Wednesday night. A large portion of the hillside collapsed, sending huge quantities of debris into the market area and creating panic among residents. Several residential buildings came under threat, while one vehicle was buried under the debris. Fortunately, there was no loss of life as people managed to move to safer places in time. Revenue and disaster management teams reached the site and began assessment and relief operations. SDM Manju Rajput said a detailed inspection had been ordered and further action would be taken after receipt of the field report. Local residents Bhajan Rawat and Ravi Kandari urged the administration to provide adequate compensation to the affected families.
In Rudraprayag district, the Vijaynagar-Taila motor road in the Agastyamuni area was once again blocked after a massive landslide brought down boulders and debris onto the carriageway. The road serves as the principal link for more than 80 villages and has repeatedly been disrupted during the current monsoon because of landslides and ground subsidence.
In Dehradun district, rivers and seasonal streams in the Jaunsar-Bawar and Chakrata regions remained in spate, while the famous Tiger Falls at Chakrata witnessed an exceptionally heavy flow. Authorities appealed to tourists and residents to stay away from rivers, streams and waterfalls and to avoid unnecessary travel.
Heavy rain also inundated large parts of Haridwar city. Waterlogging was reported from Bhagat Singh Chowk, Ranipur Mod, Kankhal and Latowali, causing inconvenience to local residents and motorists. Despite the inclement weather, the Kanwar Yatra continued uninterrupted, with thousands of devotees carrying Kanwars through the rain while chanting religious slogans. Police personnel remained deployed at important intersections, drainage operations continued throughout the day and Kanwariyas were routed through the designated Kanwar track and highways, although local residents continued to face considerable inconvenience because of waterlogging.
The Meteorological Department and the State Disaster Management Authority have advised people living in landslide-prone areas, near rivers, streams and low-lying locations to remain extremely vigilant. The pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra have also been advised to travel only if absolutely necessary and to strictly follow official advisories. Authorities have further advised people to remain indoors during spells of intense rainfall, avoid steep slopes and refrain from swimming or boating in swollen rivers. Construction work on houses, buildings, bridges, dams and tunnels has also been advised to be suspended during periods of heavy rain, while military and paramilitary establishments located in remote and disaster-prone areas have been asked to remain prepared for any emergency arising from landslides or flash floods.
