Inclement weather has prompted flooding in various parts of India, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a problem for the administration. In Uttarakhand, a landslide has now led to the close of a national highway. Heavy rainfall has also led to flooding in low lying parts of the state.
Visuals shared by news agency ANI on Saturday showed a portion of the hilly embankment collapsing onto the road near Beasi in the Tehri Garhwal area. According to reports, National Highway 58 (Rishikesh-Srinagar Highway) has since been closed. There were no reports of casualties.
This incidentally comes less than a day after the Badrinath National Highway was blocked due to a landslide in the Gulabkoti and Kaudia areas of Chamoli. The region has been receiving incessant rainfall.
According to another update shared on Friday, a landslide had also led to vehicles being stranded near the Ghat Police Station on Pithoragarh National Highway.
Visuals from Srinagar and Pauri Garhwal indicate that several low lying areas have now been submerged in water. A clip shared online by news agency ANI shows video clip shared online shows merely the roof of various stuctures amid the swirling water. Reportedly, the level of the Alaknanda river have risen due to heavy rainfall.
In other related news, the borders of Haridwar district will be closed on June 20, on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra. According to the police, devotees coming in from other states will not be allowed, due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic
"After meeting with the officials of Shri Ganga Sabha including various religious institutions in Haridwar, it has been decided that Ganga Dussehra will be celebrated in a symbolic way," Superintendent of police, City of Haridwar, Kamlesh Upadhyaya said.
(With inputs from agencies)
