By Our Staff Reporter
Uttarkashi, 26 Jul: A cloudburst in the Saptarishi area late last night caused significant damage at the Yamunotri Dham and around the last stop before the Dham at Janaki Chatti. Excessive rains have resulted in flooding in the Yamuna and also led to huge landslides with debris and the falling boulders flowing to the hot water ponds at Yamunotri Dham. However, the district administration claims that there has been no loss of human lives in the disaster. It is being claimed that the water level in the Yamuna River surged suddenly due to the cloudburst in Saptarishi.
According to the reports, the bridge wall and the main road leading to the Yamunotri Temple have suffered severe damage. Not only this, the VIP room and kitchen for the Pandits were also washed away, and a culvert has been lost. Meanwhile, the Uttarkashi district administration has claimed that continuous action is being taken at the level of various departments to ensure restoration of essential facilities and to put in place necessary safety measures in the Yamunotri area affected by heavy rains.
District Magistrate Dr Meharban Singh Bisht claimed that responsibilities have been assigned to the departments concerned and a team of officers sent to the spot to assess the damage and submit a report and start protective work. Bisht also claimed that all precautionary measures have been taken by the administration for the safe and smooth conduct of the Yatra. He added that the movement of pilgrims to Yamunotri Dham continued as before even today.
In Yamunotri Dham, the rooms of the Pujari Mahasabha located along the Yamuna River have been damaged, and the street light and temple generator were also destroyed due to excessive rains. In Janaki Chatti, three mules and a motorcycle were swept away. The erosion beneath the Janaki Chatti parking area and the 40 metre long road and the road wall in front of Shubham Place Hotel were also damaged. At midnight, water inundated the parking area in Janaki Chatti, partially submerging the parked vehicles in water and debris. Labourers who were sleeping in the parking area narrowly escaped and saved their lives.
The administration claims to have alerted residents through announcements via loudspeakers at Hanuman Chatti, Syana Chatti and Kharadi, among other locations along the Yamuna River, during the night regarding the incident and the residents of these areas have been put on high alert.
DM Dr Bisht also directed the SDM, Barkot, and departments concerned to assess the damage and implement necessary safety measures immediately. Following the DM’s orders, a team from the Revenue Department, led by Tehsildar Barkot, has arrived in the disaster affected area.
MLA of Gangotri region, Suresh Chauhan also reached the control room and took information about the situation of Yamunotri area and discussed with the officials about the Yatra arrangements and the actions being taken in the affected area.
Due to heavy rainfall in Yamunotri area last night, the water level of Yamuna River suddenly surged resulting in heavy damage to some public and private properties located the riverine areas of Yamunotri Dham and Janki Chatti. There are also reports of some two-wheelers and small vehicles being washed away and buried due to river water and debris coming into the parking in Janki Chatti. Apart from this, electric lines, tourism department information centre, Sulabh Shauchalaya, Zila Panchayat toilets, garbage compactor machines have also been damaged. Along with debris filling in many shops in Jankichatti, the canal of UREDA Power House and the passenger registration centre have also been damaged. On receiving information about sudden surge in the water level in Yamuna River, the police, SDRF and other department personnel alerted Rana Chatti, Hanuman Chatti, Syanachatti, Paligarh, etc., in the areas around the river in the night and evacuated the buildings and hotels in the areas near the river in the Jankijatti area and took the people to a safe place.
The Administration has claimed no loss of human or animal life in this incident, though unofficial reports claim that some mules were swept away in the Yamuna. According to the local administration, the trek route to Yamunotri is safe and the Yatra is continuing.
