Noida 02 August 2024: As heavy rain continues to batter parts of Uttarakhand, the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) reported on Friday, August 2, that more than 2,200 passengers from Kedarnath have been safely evacuated. This includes over 450 passengers who were rescued from the Munkatiya area to Sonprayag in an operation conducted late last night amid the heavy rains.
“The rescue operations will continue today to facilitate the safe evacuation of all stranded passengers,” the SDRF spokesperson emphasized, highlighting their commitment to selfless service. The Kedarnath Yatra remains suspended amid the inclement weather conditions, which have triggered landslides at many locations, blocking the trek route with boulders at Ghoraparav, Lincholi, Badi Lincholi, and Bhimbali.
Advisory for Pilgrims
An advisory has been issued for Kedarnath-bound pilgrims who have reached Rudraprayag, urging them to wait until they receive official notifications about improved weather conditions and the restoration of blocked roads. Both the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers in Rudraprayag district are flowing close to the danger mark.
Fatalities and Injuries in Rain-Related Incidents
The heavy rains have tragically claimed 14 lives and injured 10 others in separate incidents across the state. Officials reported four deaths in Dehradun, six in Haridwar, three in Tehri, and one in Chamoli. The toll continues to rise as more incidents are reported.
In Dehradun, four deaths occurred in two separate incidents. Sundar Singh and Arjun Singh Rana drowned in a canal in the Raipur area on Wednesday night, while Indrapal (40) and Bhupendra Singh Rana (43) were swept away while bathing in a river near the Sahasradhara parking on Thursday. Their bodies were recovered later.
In Haridwar, a house collapse in Bharpur village of the Roorkee area killed four people and injured 10 others, with eight in critical condition. Additionally, two people were electrocuted to death at the Roorkee bus stand around 11:30 pm on Wednesday.
Tehri witnessed a tragic landslide caused by a cloudburst in Jakhanyali village of the Ghansali area, resulting in the deaths of three family members. In Chamoli, a woman died in Kunkhet village of Gairsain tehsil when debris from a hill fell on her house on Wednesday.
Missing Persons Amid Heavy Rains
Many people remain missing amid the heavy rains. Four out of five youths from Ghaziabad’s Khoda, who reached Kedarnath via Haridwar, are still unaccounted for. In Haldwani, Nainital district, a seven-year-old child was reported missing after being swept away in a flooded drain. Police and the SDRF are actively searching for him.
State Government on Alert
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed officials to remain alert. In a social media post, Dhami noted that heavy rains on Wednesday night affected many areas, prompting rescue teams to carry out operations throughout the night to ensure people’s safety. Dhami visited the State Emergency Operations Centre and reviewed the situation, directing Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman to maintain coordination with the District Magistrates.
Air Force Assistance
The Indian Air Force has deployed one Chinook and one Mi-17V5 helicopter to carry out human assistance and relief operations in the Kedar valley of Uttarakhand. These helicopters will be working in coordination with the state government authorities to aid in the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
