Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 23 Aug: After days of mounting anxiety and disruption, residents of Syana Chatti in Uttarkashi district have finally received a measure of relief as the artificial lake formed in the Yamuna river began to drain on Saturday, following a successful controlled blasting operation. The lake, which was formed as a result of heavy rainfall and debris from the Kupada ravine blocking the river’s natural flow, had inundated the Yamunotri highway and submerged several hotels, homes, and public infrastructure, paralysing movement and triggering widespread concern.
The district administration, led by District Magistrate Prashant Arya, undertook a delicate operation to breach the lake’s mouth without disturbing the fragile hills surrounding the area. The controlled blasting, executed with precision to avoid seismic impact, initially released only a trickle of water. However, as the weather cleared and the flow stabilised, the water level has dropped by nearly four feet, allowing traffic to resume on the Yamunotri highway bridge and easing pressure on the submerged zones. Despite this progress, many residential buildings and hotels remain filled with sand and debris, with locals reporting extensive damage to personal belongings and property. The risk of water re-entering some structures persists, especially with continued inflow from upstream debris.
Drone surveillance and on-ground inspections have revealed that the artificial lake had reached alarming dimensions, with a depth of nearly 20 feet and a span of over 350 metres. The blockage had severed connectivity to at least 12 villages, affecting over 8,000 residents and pilgrims en route to Yamunotri. Emergency teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and multiple departments including Health, Revenue, and Public Works were deployed to manage the crisis. Their coordinated efforts, including evacuation and relief distribution, have been instrumental in averting further disaster.
Yamunotri MLA Sanjay Dobhal, who has been actively monitoring the situation, expressed gratitude to river Yamuna for sparing the region from greater calamity. He also acknowledged the administration’s efforts and stated that he would soon meet the Chief Minister to seek compensation for the affected families and business owners. Dobhal emphasised the need for long-term solutions, including river channelisation and debris management, to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the ecologically sensitive Yamuna Valley.
