Heavy rains in Uttarakhand on Sunday triggered landslides and rockfall in several areas, disrupting the Char Dham Yatra and temporarily closing major highways, including the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarakhand.
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting very heavy to very heavy rain on Monday, district administrations across the state have intensified disaster preparedness measures and imposed movement restrictions in vulnerable areas.
A landslide near Sayana Chatti on the Yamunotri National Highway (NH-134) blocked vehicular traffic early Sunday morning after debris and rocks hit the road around 6:22 am. The same stretch was affected earlier this week. Additional landslides in Ujri and Baligad disrupted communication along the route.
Read also: 69 roads were closed in Uttarakhand due to monsoon rains causing landslides
National highway authorities deployed bucket excavators, rock crushers and workers to remove the debris. The highway was reopened to traffic at noon after extensive disinfection operations.
Officials at the Uttarkashi District Disaster Management Control Room said the blocked section of the road near Sayana Chatti was reopened by around 5 pm.
Red alert for Dehradun
IMD’s Dehradun center issued a red alert for Dehradun, Tehri and Haridwar districts on Monday, predicting very heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places.
An orange alert has been issued for Nainital, Chamboat, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarkashi and Puri districts, while a yellow alert has been issued for Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Almora and Pithoragarh districts, warning of thunderstorms with lightning and heavy rain spells.
In Dehradun district, landslides blocked NH-507 near Lakhor Dam waterfall and five rural roads on Sunday. Mopping up operations were underway to restore communication.
“NH-507 has been blocked due to landslide debris near Lakhor Dam waterfall. Efforts are on to reopen the highway as soon as possible. Five rural roads have also been closed and debris is being removed,” Dehradun District Disaster Management Officer Rishabh Kumar said.
The district administration said that major rivers in Dehradun are flowing within safe limits but are still being closely monitored.
In Haridwar, district magistrate Mayur Dikshit postponed the weekly grievance hearing programme, Janta Milan/Jan Sonwai, on Monday, citing a red alert. He also advised residents and pilgrims to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from low-lying and vulnerable areas, and stay in their homes until weather conditions improve.
Meanwhile, the Bageshwar district administration also ramped up its preparations after the International Meteorological Department predicted heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning.
Additional District Magistrate N S Nabial directed all departments to remain on high alert and ensure that precautionary measures, along with relief and rescue mechanisms, are fully functional. An orange alert has been issued for July 21, while a yellow alert remains in effect for July 20.
