Dehradun, Uttarakhand, August 14, 2023: The relentless torrential rains in Uttarakhand have taken a devastating toll, leading to the collapse of the Doon Defence College in Maldevta, Dehradun, on Monday morning. The deluge, continuing for the past 24 hours, has triggered overflowing rivers across the state, and the Doon Defence College situated along the banks of the River Song near Lalpul, faced the tragic brunt of this catastrophe.
In response to the grave situation, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert spanning six districts in Uttarakhand, including Dehradun and Nainital. The intense rainfall raises concerns of potential landslides that might result in individuals being trapped under debris. The disaster control room in Uttarakhand reported that the Alaknanda, Mandakini, and Ganga rivers have surged past their danger levels in the Rudraprayag, Shrinagar, and Devprayag areas.
The impact of the ongoing downpour is evident along the Badrinath National Highway, where landslides have obstructed numerous stretches. Tragically, reports confirm that an individual near Pipalkoti has been buried under the landslide debris.
The unfolding calamity has sparked flood-like conditions along the banks of multiple rivers, including Alaknanda, and its tributaries such as Pindar, Nandakini, and Birhi in the Chamoli district. Another tributary, Pranmati, experienced flooding due to a landslide.
In the Pauri district’s Laxmanjhula area, heavy rains triggered a landslide that engulfed a resort, leaving four to five individuals trapped beneath the debris, according to Shweta Choubey, the Senior Superintendent of Police in Pauri.
Amid this dire situation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a meeting with senior officials to assess the extent of the rain-induced crisis in the state. Following the discussions, the decision was made to suspend the Chardham yatra for two days, ensuring the safety of pilgrims.
Rishikesh, too, has borne the brunt of the unyielding downpour, with several low-lying regions, including Chandreshwar Nagar and Sheesham Jhari, inundated. Rural areas surrounding Rishikesh are grappling with rising waters, prompting the State Disaster Response Force to initiate evacuations and transfer people to safer locations.
As Uttarakhand navigates this unfolding disaster, timely response and coordinated efforts from authorities and disaster management teams become pivotal in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and mitigating further damage.
