On Wednesday night in Uttarakhand, heavy rain caused significant devastation in various districts, including Rudraprayag, Tehri, Dehradun, Chamoli, and Haridwar. The Meteorological Department’s prediction of heavy rain in some districts was accurate, and the disaster took the lives of seven people, including a husband and wife and two children. Ten people were injured.
The Mandakini river began looking like a lake due to hours of rain in Kedarnath of Rudraprayag district, and the falling of stones near Lyncholi and Mahabali. The hot spring in Gaurikund was washed away, and boulders came on the footpath. People in Gaurikund and Sonprayag started running and screaming in fear, sending their audio on WhatsApp.
On the orders of District Magistrate Rudraprayag Saurabh Gaharwar, the journey to Kedarnath Dham was stopped, and pilgrims were taken to Helipad and other places safely. SDRF personnel took charge on the banks of the Mandakini River and evacuated people safely. A big rock broke between Jungle Chatti and Bhimwali in Kedarnath. There is no information about loss of life or casualties.
Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department Uttarakhand Government Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said that due to the road being partially damaged 70 meters ahead of Bhimbali Chowki on Kedarnath Marg under Ukhimath of Rudraprayag district, about 200 passengers have been accommodated in the GMVN Guest House and Police Chowki as a precaution. Due to heavy rains, 20 to 25 meters of footpath near MRP in Bhimbali have been washed out, and big boulders have come on the way. A rescue team is deployed on the spot, and action is being taken with JCB.
Three people from the same family were missing, and the bodies of two people were recovered, while one is injured. The deceased are Bhanu Prasad (50), Neelam Devi (45), and the injured Vipin (28). Haridwar District Magistrate Dhiraj Singh Garbyal and SSP Pramod Dobhal reached the hospital and instructed the doctors to provide better treatment.
In addition to the heavy rains, SDRF Commander Manikant Mishra put all 40 posts in SDRF on alert mode, instructing them to remain in a prepared state as backup. Instructions have been given to the SDRF control room to give updates every half hour.