Uttarakhand: Yamunotri and Badrinath highway closed due to falling debris, heavy rains in Gangnani, cloudburst in Purola
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Yamunotri National Highway was blocked at several places due to falling debris near Gangnani in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand on Saturday.
Yamuna river and drains are in spate due to torrential rains overnight in Yamunotri valley in Barkot, Uttarkashi. The Yamunotri Highway has been closed for movement due to debris, boulders and marshes at various places. The Yamunotri National Highway is blocked due to debris and stones near Dharasu Band and Gangnani. After which a large number of passengers including tourists and locals are stranded in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Vehicles are trapped in the debris, due to which the passengers are upset. Efforts are being made to open the route through NH Barkot.
On the other hand, it is raining heavily in Purola area since midnight. There is a possibility of cloudburst in Chhara Khad. Paddy planted fields have suffered massive erosion. This poses a threat to residential buildings. There is news of three small carts and bikes flowing due to the boom in Chhada section.
According to the Uttarkashi administration, Yamunotri Highway has been blocked at many places including Chhatanga, a tehsildar has been sent to take stock of the situation. Disaster Management officials of Uttarkashi district said that due to heavy rains near Gangnani in Barkot area, there was a lot of debris and stones on the Yamunotri National Highway.
He said that due to rain there was water-logging in Kasturba Gandhi Residential School. School children had to be taken to safer places. One team each of State Disaster Response Force and Fire Department was immediately sent to the spot for relief work.
Meanwhile, the Badrinath National Highway near Chamoli district was also blocked at three places due to falling debris due to incessant rains. According to officials, a large number of commuters were stranded on both sides of the national highway for hours due to the incident.
Chamoli police said in a tweet on Saturday morning that the road is blocked due to debris at Nandprayag, Belakuchi and Pagalnala on the Badrinath National Highway. The Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rain with thunderstorm and lightning at isolated places over Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Tehri, Pauri and Nainital in the next 24 hours.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday reviewed the progress of relief and rescue operations in connection with waterlogging at Damkothi in Haridwar district. He has also asked the higher officials to constantly monitor the situation.
