Noida 02 August 2024: Cloudbursts in the twin Himalayan states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have claimed over a dozen lives since yesterday, as rescuers scramble to search for survivors in the mountains. Both states brace for more rain today, raising concerns that the showers may hamper rescue work.
Impact and Immediate Response
The inclement weather has forced people to relocate to higher elevations, while the central government has assured all possible help to the two states. NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and Army personnel have been deployed for rescue operations.
Situation in Uttarakhand
In Uttarakhand, at least 13 bodies have been recovered, while 16 others remain missing. An orange alert for heavy rain has been issued in Uttarkashi district, which borders Himachal’s Shimla. A yellow alert, forecasting moderate rain, is in place for the remaining 12 districts of Uttarakhand.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an aerial survey of the rain-hit areas yesterday. Authorities have suspended the Kedarnath Yatra for at least three days due to broken roads at multiple points. As many as 450 people were rescued from the yatra route last night, bringing the total rescue figure to 2,200. However, at least 1,300 pilgrims remain stranded as the cloudburst washed away roads.
The Sonprayag-Gaurikund road remains blocked, and rescue operations had to be stopped due to a landslide in Sonprayag. Both Army and civil aviation helicopters have been deployed for search and rescue work.
Situation in Himachal Pradesh
In neighboring Himachal Pradesh, the situation is similarly dire. Cloudbursts were reported in three districts yesterday—Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu. Five people have died in related incidents, while search operations have resumed for 49 missing persons this morning. Three national highways and 450 other roads remain closed in the state.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who has been holding high-level meetings, will visit Rampur in Shimla today, where houses were swept away yesterday. A red alert is in place in the state for the next 24 hours, and the state government has directed officials in the affected areas to stay on high alert.
Ongoing Rescue Operations
Rescue operations are also underway in Malana, where several people are trapped in a tunnel. Authorities are using every resource available to ensure the safety and rescue of all affected individuals.
The twin states continue to battle the severe weather, with rescuers working tirelessly to save lives and provide relief to those affected.