Dehradun: Two people have reportedly died, and two others are missing, after a cloudburst at many places in Uttarakhand, an official said on Wednesday.
In this hour of disaster, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) commandant Manikant Mishra has issued an alert to all 40 posts in the state, as well as instructed all the posts on the Yatra route to be ready as a backup.
He informed late tonight that he himself reached the Disaster Operation Centre and is informing the Disaster Secretary present there about the rescue work being done by SDRF teams at various places.
Mishra said that due to debris on the Shri Kedarnath Yatra route, the road has been blocked at Lincholi, where stranded pilgrims have been taken to a safe place.
The water level of the river has increased in Son Prayag, and people living on the banks of the river have been evacuated from there.
He said that a cloudburst had been reported eight kilometres ahead of Ghansali, after which the SDRF rescue team had reached the spot. Three people are reported missing here.
He said that a search operation was conducted by the rescue SDRF team on the spot. The road to the rural area has been blocked.
Out of the missing persons, two bodies were recovered, and one injured person was rushed to the hospital by the SDRF team.
Mishra further said that due to heavy rains in the Budha Kedar area, three houses in Thati village were evacuated due to debris. The SDRF team is present on the spot.
While an information received from Chamoli that a house has collapsed at Belchori, in which a woman and child are missing. The SDRF team has left for the site.
Due to the red alert issued by the Meteorological Department and after the instructions given by the Commissioner Garhwal Division, for the safety of the Char Dham pilgrims, on August one (Thursday), the District Magistrates of the concerned district will decide at their own level on the further journey of the pilgrims who have reached the concerned district.
The registration process at the registration centres in Haridwar and Rishikesh will remain suspended tomorrow.
Today, due to heavy rains in Kedarnath, 20 to 25 metres of pedestrian path near MRP in Bhimbali was washed away, and big stones have come in the way. Around 200 passengers have been safely accommodated at Bhimbali GMVN.
Sector Gaurikund has reported that the temple has been evacuated due to the rising water level of the river. All have been taken to a safe place. No loss of life has been reported.
Due to heavy rains, the water level of rivers at Alaknanda, Mandakini (Rudra Prayag), and Mandakini (Gauri Kund) of the state is expected to reach the danger mark.
District Magistrate Dheeraj Singh Garbyal and SSP Pramendra Doval visited the hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured and directed the doctors to provide better treatment.
