Uttarakhand: 30 feared dead in cloudburst; Chamoli, Pithoragarh worst hit
All major rivers in the hilly tracts have also swollen after over 54 mm rainfall was recorded in the state in the last 24-hours.
In Short
- Heavy rains lash Uttarakhand
- 2 houses in Chamoli washed away in flash flood
- Alaknanda rises above the danger level mark
A total of 30 have been feared dead from different areas of Uttarakhand following cloudbursts in Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts.
A cloudburst hit Singhali area near Pithoragarh early today morning, flattening homes in over seven villages and leaving many residents trapped in the debris.
18 bodies have been recovered so far.
"We have recovered five bodies from Singhali area while three bodies have been recovered from Thal village. The search for others is on by rescue parties consisting of army and paramilitary personnel," Pithoragarh District Magistrate H C Semwal said.
Meanwhile, another cloudburst in Chamoli washed away houses in Gopeshwar on the banks of river Mandakini. Nine people have been reported dead in Chamoli district out of which two people were flown away in the high current of a 'barsati nala' in Gopeshwar's Siro village. Many other houses are also reported to be in danger.
All major rivers in the hilly tracts have also swollen after over 54 mm rainfall was recorded in the state in the last 24-hours. River Alaknanda has has risen above the danger level mark.
MeT warning
The MeT department has issued a warning of heavy rains in isolated places in Uttarakhand especially Nainital, Udhamsingh Nagar and Champawat districts over the next 72 hours?starting tomorrow morning.
Light to moderate rains are also likely to occur at most places during the period, the MeT department said. Nainital, Udhamsingh Nagar, Champawat, Almora,, Pauri, Haridwar, Dehradun and Tehri may be hit by heavy to very heavy rains during the period, it said.
Official sources said the district administration concerned have been asked to remain alert in view of the MeT department warning.
The Thal-Munsyari road has been cut-off and dozens of vehicles remained stranded on both sides. The Yamunotri highway, near Kharadi, has also been damaged leading to traffic being halted.
Entry of heavy vehicles was halted on the Kedarnath highway after a landslide at Gangolgaon.
- With inputs from agencies