Continuous rainfall, flash floods and landslides have caused severe damage to several important roads—including the Dharchula-Tawaghat-Lipulekh road, which helps pilgrims visiting Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet—in Uttarakhand and hindered the movement of several trains on the Dehradun and Haridwar routes.
As per a weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a red alert has been issued for Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, and Pauri districts, where very heavy to extremely heavy rain at isolated places and heavy to very heavy rain at a few places are likely to occur. Thunderstorms are likely at isolated places in the state. An orange alert is issued for the other districts, where heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated places.
According to data provided by the state government, six state roads, eight district roads, two border roads and 223 village roads are blocked because of landslides or the falling debris. At least nine bridges were damaged in Haridwar itself. Sixteen people have died in rain-related incidents in the past six days. The death toll since June 15 is 26, while 23 were injured. Over 440 houses were partially damaged, 32 severely damaged and 14 fully destroyed.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel rescue people trapped in the floodwaters at Laksar, in Haridwar district, Saturday, July 15, 2023. (PTI Photo)
Devesh Sashni, subdivisional magistrate of Dharchula in Pithoragarh, told The Indian Express that the Dharchula-Tawaghat-Lipulekh road had been blocked for the past several hours. “The road is still blocked and we are expecting it to be cleared by Sunday. The problem is that we clear the debris from one place but the continuous rain again blocks the road. However, the Border Roads Organisation is working to clear the road,” he said.
A strategically crucial 80-km road connecting the Lipulekh pass, at a height of 17,000 ft along the China border, with Dharchula was thrown open by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in 2020. The road helps pilgrims visit Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet as it is around 90 km from the pass.
The government has issued suggestions and directions for all districts amid an alert issued by the IMD and the possibility of landslides in vulnerable areas. People residing near rivers and in landslide-prone areas have been asked to remain alert.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami requested everyone to maintain vigilance and avoid unnecessary travel for a few days. The administration has also been instructed to remain prepared to deal with any kind of situation.
