Uttarakhand Cloudburst: 2 Dead, Over 200 Stranded In Kedarnath, Rescue Ops On

A cloudburst occurred at Ghansali in Uttarakhand's Tehri district as heavy rains throughout Wednesday wreaked havoc across the state.

A cloudburst occurred at Ghansali in Uttarakhand's Tehri district as heavy rains throughout Wednesday wreaked havoc across the state.

Source : PTI

Uttarakhand Cloudburst News: At least two people lost their lives in a cloudburst at Ghansali in Uttarakhand's Tehri district as heavy rains throughout Wednesday wreaked havoc across the state.

According to news agency IANS, the deceased were identified as Bhanu Prasad, 50, and his wife Neelam Devi, 45. The 28-year-old son of the couple Vipin sustained injuries after an eatery and a culvert near the Nautar stream washed away due to the cloudburst in Ghansali's Jakhanyali.

A cloudburst also occurred near the Bhim Bali stream along the Kedarnath walking path. Following the cloudburst, a landslide occurrd that damaged about 25 metres of the path. Around 200 pilgrims were left stranded in Bhim Bali due to the temporary closure of the path.

SDRF, Police Rush To Spot

Following the cloudburst, Emergency services, including SDRF, district police, and local officials, rushed to the spot and shifted the stranded pilgrims to a safer site, IANS reported. No casualties have been reported yet in Bhim Bali cloudburst incident.

The continuous rainfall led to a sudden rise in the Mandakini River's water level after which the authorities evacuated the Gaurikund temple and people were taken to a safer place.

The NDRF, SDRF, police, and other emergency services, including hospitals, are on high alert.

Rudraprayag District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar said that there was an incident of cloudburst at Bhim Bali on the Kedarnath walking path, causing a landslide that damaged about 20-25 metres of the path. About 200 pilgrims have been safely stopped at Bhimbali GMVN. There is no loss of life.

The water level of Mandakini river is increasing rapidly due to which Gauri Mata temple in Gaurikund has been evacuated and devotees have been shifted to a safer place, he further stated.

CM Dhami Takes Stock Of Rescue Ops

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has spoken to the Disaster Management Secretary regarding the heavy rains in various areas of the state and took stock of relief and rescue operations.

"I have directed the officials to help those people who are affected by heavy rainfall and also to shift those who are affected by the spate in rivers and drains to safer places. I have directed all to be on alert," Dhami said.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, "I have directed the officials to help those people who are affected by heavy rainfall and also to shift those who are affected by the spate in rivers and drains to safer places. I have directed all to be on alert." https://t.co/YGLYxJivVn pic.twitter.com/g47kmYSknQ

— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2024

Haridwar SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal said, "Due to heavy rainfall, a house collapsed between 7.30 pm and 8 pm. Nine people were present in the house when the incident took place. We received a call around 8 pm following which officials and teams were rushed to the spot to carry out rescue operation... Unfortunately, two children - Aas Mohammed and Nagma - were killed in the incident... The injured have been admitted to various hospitals and reasons for the collapse are being investigated".

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: Haridwar SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal says, "... Due to heavy rainfall, a house collapsed between 7.30 pm and 8 pm. Nine people were present in the house when the incident took place. We received a call around 8 pm following which officials and teams were… pic.twitter.com/rSvSxzJ1Zj

— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024

Haridwar District Magistrate Dhiraj Singh Garbyal said, “11 people were trapped in the debris when the house collapsed. Two children have died, and three others who are seriously injured are undergoing treatment. The remaining people are also hospitalised but are out of danger... This old house was in a dilapidated state, and heavy rain caused it to collapse."

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: Haridwar District Magistrate Dhiraj Singh Garbyal says, “... 11 people were trapped in the debris when the house collapsed. Two children have died, and three others who are seriously injured are undergoing treatment. The remaining people are also… pic.twitter.com/odPcf9zaaC

— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for extremely heavy spell of rain in seven districts of Uttarakhand. The weather department has warned that these districts are very likely to receive intense rainfall in the next 24 hours.

These districts include Dehradun, Champawat, Haridwar, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, and Udham Singh Nagar.