Torrential rains for the fourth consecutive day have stranded thousands of people in the hill state of Uttarakhand. This situation has evoked memories of last year’s cloudburst over the state, destroying property and claiming more than 5000 lives.
Rivers like Mandakini, Bhagirathi, Sharda and Alaknanda are flowing near the danger mark. People living close to the rivers have been asked to leave their houses and move to safer places.
According to latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, in the last 24 hours, Nainital and Champawat have received 116 mm of rain each, Mukteshwar 86 mm, Almora 60 mm, Pithoragarh 51 mm, Dehradun 14, Uttarkashi 5 mm and Haridwar 22.2 mm of rain.
Rain is likely to reduce significantly in the state after 24 hours but pick up once again on the 25th and 26th of July.
Earlier the Char Dham Yatra was suspended till Saturday as heavy rains have caused landslides at several places along the yatra route.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, told media on Saturday that resumption of the Char Dham Yatra was a calculated risk which, he deliberately had to take in order to revive the state's economy.
The national highway in the Kedar valley was inundated with water at some places. The Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway and the road connecting Kedarnath and Gaurikund was also blocked.
It was during the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra on 16th June, 2013 that very heavy rain and cloudburst caused severe flooding in the state. About 5000 people including pilgrims were killed in this calamity.
Twelve out of thirteen districts in Uttarakhand bore the brunt of the fury. Rudraprayag, Chamoli Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh were the worst affected districts. The Kedarnath Temple, one of the famous temples of Lord Shiva and part of the Char Dham Yatra was also damaged.
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