A severe cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath region, resulted in significant damage to the area’s infrastructure and stranded nearly 200 pilgrims. The cloudburst caused a landslide in the Bhim Bali stream along the Kedarnath walkway, damaging a 30-metre-long stretch of the path, which has now been temporarily closed for safety reasons.
The heavy rainfall from the cloudburst also led to a sudden rise in the water level of the Mandakini River, exacerbating the already precarious situation. Authorities quickly responded by sounding a high alert for the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local officials.
Local authorities have expressed concerns about the safety of approximately 150 to 200 pilgrims who may be stranded in Kedarnath. Those on their way to the shrine have been advised to stay in safe locations until conditions improve. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries have been reported following the cloudburst.
Uttarakhand: A cloudburst in the Bhim Bali area of the Kedarnath pedestrian route damaged approximately 30 meters of the path, blocking passage.
Around 150 to 200 pilgrims are stranded. The incident occurred after heavy torrential rains. More details awaited pic.twitter.com/r15VPZpJwC
— IANS (@ians_india) July 31, 2024
This disaster comes just days after another heavy rainfall event triggered a landslide in Uttarakhand’s Tehri district, which washed away multiple houses and shops. In that incident, a 42-year-old woman named Sarita Devi and her 15-year-old daughter, Ankita, were tragically buried under the debris. Rescuers managed to retrieve their bodies from under the rubble in Toli village. The retaining wall behind their house had collapsed, leading to their tragic deaths.
In light of these incidents, the Uttarakhand government has issued a safety advisory for Chardham Yatra pilgrims, urging them to delay their journeys amid forecasts of heavy rainfall across the state. Devotees have been asked to remain in safe locations and to start their journey only when conditions are deemed safe.
DGP Abhinav Kumar emphasised the importance of caution, advising pilgrims to stay put in safe places and follow the instructions of local authorities. “The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for heavy rain in most districts of Uttarakhand. Your safety is our priority,” Kumar stated.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for the next five days in Uttarakhand. This follows a series of recent cloudburst incidents in the region. Earlier, two people were found dead, and another was injured after a cloudburst in Jakhanyali, in the Ghansali area of Tehri Garhwal district. The deceased were identified as Bhanu Prasad, 50, and Anita Devi, 45.
A spokesperson from the SDRF reported that after receiving information about the missing individuals, their team conducted a search operation, recovering the two bodies and rescuing an injured person from a 200-meter-deep ditch. The injured individual was taken to the hospital, and the bodies were handed over to the district police.
In another incident in the Bhori Dera area of Haridwar, two children lost their lives, and nine others were injured when the roof of a dilapidated house collapsed due to heavy rainfall. The deceased were identified as Aas Mohammed, 10, and Nagma, 8. District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police visited the site, assessed the situation, and ensured the injured were taken to a local hospital. Compensation for the deceased and injured will be provided as per government orders.
Earlier on July 31, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a ‘red alert’ for Uttarakhand, highlighting the severity of the situation. Following Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s instructions, Commissioner of Garhwal Division Vinay Shankar Pandey inspected disaster relief camps and affected areas in Tehri district. He visited Government Inter College Vinak Khal, Tingarh village, and Budhakedar, addressing the concerns of affected residents and meeting with disaster-affected individuals and officials. He assured them of the government’s commitment to effective disaster relief. Pandey reviewed relief camp arrangements, including power backup, television access, children’s education, and livelihood support.
The Uttarakhand government remains vigilant and is prioritising the safety and well-being of its residents and visitors as they navigate through these challenging times.
