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Continuous rains, floods and landslides have caused severe damage to several important routes – including the Dharchula-Tawaghat-Lipulekh route, which helps pilgrims visiting Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet – in Uttarakhand and hampered the movement of many trains on the Dehradun and Haridwar routes.
According to the weather forecast issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a red alert has been issued for the districts of Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri and Puri, where heavy to very heavy rains in isolated places and heavy to very heavy rains in few places are likely to occur. Thunderstorms are likely in isolated places in the state. An orange alert is issued for other regions, where heavy to very heavy rain is likely in isolated locations.
According to the data provided by the state government, six state roads, eight feeder roads, two border roads and 223 village roads have been closed due to landslides or falling debris. At least nine bridges were damaged in Haridwar itself. Sixteen people have died in rain-related accidents in the past six days. The death toll since June 15 was 26, while 23 were injured. More than 440 homes were partially damaged, 32 seriously damaged, and 14 completely destroyed.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel rescue people trapped in flood waters in Laksar, in Haridwar district, Saturday, July 15, 2023. (PTI Photo)
Devesh Sachni, District Magistrate of Dharchula in Pithoragarh, told the Indian Express that the Dharchula-Tawagat-Libulek road had been closed for the past several hours. The road remains closed and we expect it to be open by Sunday. The problem is we are clearing the rubble from one place but the constant rain is blocking the way again. However, the Frontier Roads Organization is working to smooth the way.
A strategically important 80 km road connecting Lipolech Pass, at an altitude of 17,000 feet along the Chinese border, with Dharchula, it was inaugurated by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in 2020. The road helps pilgrims visit Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet as it is about 90 km from the pass.
The government issued proposals and directives for all districts amid an alert issued by the International Institute for Democracy and the possibility of landslides in vulnerable areas. People residing near rivers and in landslide-prone areas have been asked to stay alert.
Prime Minister Pushkar Singh Dami asked everyone to remain vigilant and avoid non-essential travel for a few days. Management was also instructed to remain prepared to deal with any type of situation.
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