Rescue operations gain momentum in Uttarakhand as weather improves

According to the State Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, at least 25 deaths were recorded across the State in rain-related incidents.

August 17, 2014 08:18 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 05:43 pm IST - Dehradun

After almost two days of incessant rainfall, weather across Uttarakhand improved on Sunday. However, a death was reported in Dehradun, when a 17-year-old resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor region was swept away in the heavy flow of a stream in the Sahastradhara area.

According to the State Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre reports, at least 25 deaths were recorded across the State in rain-related incidents of flash floods and landslides, within 72 hours.

Rescue operations continued in Pauri district’s Yamkeshwar block, where hundreds of villagers were stranded after incessant rainfall created havoc on August 15.

Pauri District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Bhatt said, “About 393 people were rescued from eight villages in the Yamkeshwar block [on Sunday].”

Mr. Bhatt said that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and Army personnel were involved in the rescue operations.

On Saturday, choppers were used to rescue the stranded. Mr. Bhatt said that within two days around 496 people had been rescued from different villages in the Yamkeshwar block.

On Sunday, after improvement in the weather after two days, many roads were opened, while some remained blocked.

The Rishikesh-Kedarnath National Highway was opened till Sonprayag. However, the Rishikesh-Badrinath, Rishikesh-Gangotri and the Rishikesh-Yamunotri National Highways remained blocked.

The Ganga at Haridwar, which was flowing above its danger mark of 294m till Saturday morning, receded to 292.75m.

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