Uttarakhand Weather: Heavy rain warning, 275 roads including Gangotri-Yamunotri and Badrinath highway closed
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There are chances of heavy rains in the entire Kumaon division of Uttarakhand on Tuesday as well.
There are chances of heavy rains in the entire Kumaon division of Uttarakhand on Tuesday as well. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for rain in many areas of Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Almora, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar, while there is a yellow alert for rain in other districts. Although there is a yellow alert for rain in the entire state.
Bikram Singh, director of the Meteorological Center, said, on July 18, there is a possibility of heavy rains in most parts of the state. There are chances of several rounds of rain accompanied by lightning in some areas. There may be some respite from the rain on 19th July.
Gangotri-Yamunotri and Badrinath highway closed
At the same time, due to rain in the morning, Yamunotri Highway was closed due to debris coming near Jharjhar Guard. Also, Gangotri Highway is closed from Malban near Maneri Dam. On the other hand, in Jakhol village of Bhatwadi development block, agriculture has been damaged due to overflowing of storm drains and landslides. There, a tempo overturned and fell into a deep gorge. On the other hand, the Badrinath highway has been blocked at Nandprayag and Chhinka due to heavy debris from the hills. There is a long line of vehicles of pilgrims as well as local people on both sides of the highway. The work of opening the highway has been started by NHIDCL. District Disaster Management Officer Nandkishore Joshi told that the highway will be opened soon.
275 roads still closed
On Monday, 232 JCB machines were pressed into service to open the roads closed after heavy rains in the state, but only 100 roads were opened after a whole day's hard work. Still 275 roads are closed.
According to the information received from PWD, 263 roads in the state were closed a day earlier. 112 more roads were closed on Monday. Out of the total 375 closed roads, only 100 roads could be opened till Monday evening. Lonivi Chief Engineer Deepak Yadav said that nine state highways, six main district roads, four district roads, 128 rural roads and 128 PMGSY roads are closed in the state. He informed that action is being taken to open the roads on priority basis.
Helicopter deployed in Garhwal and Kumaon for disaster relief work
The state government has deployed helicopters in Garhwal and Kumaon for relief and rescue operations during the monsoon season. Recently, a seriously ill person from Bundi village of Kumaon region was taken to Pithoragarh by helicopter. Whereas relief material and medicines were delivered by helicopter to the flood affected areas of Haridwar.
In view of the natural calamities occurring during the rainy season, the government has deployed helicopters for relief and rescue operations in Garhwal and Kumaon divisions. These helicopters will be used during disasters to evacuate the injured and trapped people, and to carry relief material to the affected areas.
Sameer Singh, operations in-charge of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority, said that helicopters have been used in heavy rains in the state on July 13 and 14. A sick person from Bundi village in Kumaon region was taken to higher centre. Whereas packets of relief material and medicines were distributed by helicopter in the flood affected areas of Haridwar.
