Uttarkashi: Heavy rains continued to lash Uttarakhand on Wednesday, creating difficulty in rescue operations after a devastating cloudburst that wreaked havoc in the Uttarkashi district. The death toll in Dharali rose to five and more than 60 people are feared trapped or missing in the region. 400 people including 13 soldiers have been rescued since Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialed Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take stock of the situation and assured him of the Centre's assistance. CM Dhami today reached ground zero and inspected the damage caused by the cloudburst.
Have A Look At The Ten Latest Developments:
1) Five Dead, 60 Missing
At least five were confirmed dead, and more than 60 people were reported missing in Dharali and surrounding areas.
2) Landslides At Various Places
Visuals of landslides at various places have surfaced. The Uttarkashi-Harsil road in Ganganani of Uttarkashi has been completely washed out. The road from Ganganani to Harsil has been completely blocked.
3) Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue operations are still underway, five teams of ITBP consisting of 130 jawans have been deployed in Dharali. More than 100 jawans are en route, and they will reach there soon. More than 400 people have been rescued.
4) IMD Issues Red Alert
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rain today in several areas, including Haridwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar, while other regions remain under an orange alert.
5) Schools & Colleges To Remain Shut
Schools and colleges in Dehradun, Nainital, Tehri, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Champawat, Pauri, Almora, and Bageshwar districts will remain shut.
6) CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Reaches Ground Zero
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached ground zero and met locals in Dharali. He also inspected the damage caused by the cloudburst. He also inquired about the health of an Army personnel, who was being airlifted to a medical facility.
7) Portion Of Road Collapses At Maniri
Portion of a road collapsed at Maniri in Uttarkashi, restoration work is underway.
8) AP CM Chandrababu Naidu Expresses Grief
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief and offered condolences to the deceased.
In a post on X, Naidu said, “Deeply saddened by the devastating cloudburst in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, which has claimed lives and left many missing…I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the safe return of those still missing.”
9) Indian Air Force Joins Relief & Rescue Operations
The Indian Air Force has also joined the relief and rescue operations.
10) 28-Member Tourist Group From Kerala Missing
A group of 28 tourists from Kerala has gone missing. Of the 28 individuals, 20 are reportedly from Kerala staying in Maharashtra, while the remaining eight are from various districts in Kerala, a relative of one of the couples in the group was qouted as saying by news agency PTI.
