Uttarakhand govt urges pilgrims to delay Chardham Yatra amid heavy rainfall warning

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], August 1 (ANI): Uttarakhand government has issued a safety advisory for Chardham Yatra pilgrims amid forecasts of heavy rainfall across the state. Authorities have appealed to devotees to delay their journeys until weather conditions improve and to remain in safe locations.

DGP Abhinav Kumar has urged pilgrims and devotees to be cautious and to start their journey only after breaks. He emphasized the importance of staying in safe places and following local authorities’ instructions.

“The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for heavy rain in most districts of Uttarakhand. Your safety is our priority,” the DGP said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert in Uttarakhand for the next five days.

Earlier, two people were found dead and another injured after they went missing following a cloudburst at Jakhanyali in the Ghansali area of Tehri Garhwal district. The deceased were identified as Bhanu Prasad (50) and Anita Devi (45).

A spokesperson from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) said that after receiving information about the missing individuals, the SDRF team conducted a search. They recovered two bodies and rescued an injured person, who was carried out from a 200-meter-deep ditch and taken to the hospital. The bodies were handed over to the district police.

In another incident, in the Bhori Dera area of Haridwar, two children died and nine others were injured when the roof of a dilapidated house collapsed due to heavy rainfall. The deceased were identified as Aas Mohammed (10) and Nagma (8).

The District Magistrate and SSP visited the site to assess the situation, spoke with local residents, and ensured the injured were taken to a local hospital. Compensation for the deceased and injured will be provided as per government orders.

Earlier on Wednesday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a ‘red alert’ for Uttarakhand.

Following Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s instructions, Commissioner of Garhwal Division Vinay Shankar Pandey inspected disaster relief camps and affected areas in Tehri district.

Pandey visited Government Inter College Vinak Khal, Tingarh village, and Budhakedar, addressing the concerns of affected residents and meeting with disaster-affected individuals and officials. He assured them of the government’s commitment to effective disaster relief. He reviewed relief camp arrangements, including power backup, television access, children’s education, and livelihood support.