Heavy Rainfall Causes Fatalities, Evacuations in Uttarakhand

Two women died and one person went missing due to heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand. The rainfall caused serious waterlogging, leading to evacuations. Schools were closed, and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami urged vigilance. Multiple incidents including landslides disrupted life, prompting significant emergency responses.

Heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in Uttarakhand, claiming the lives of two women and leaving another person missing after being swept away by river currents. The extreme weather conditions forced the evacuation of hundreds and led to the closure of schools statewide. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected the situation at the State Emergency Operations Centre, urging officials to stay vigilant. In Lohaghat, Champawat district, two women died in separate incidents caused by landslides, resulting from the incessant rain. The district saw 150 mm of rainfall over 24 hours, causing significant disruptions, including blocked highways. Relief and rescue teams were dispatched to assist stranded individuals.

Intermittent rain and snowfall compounded the situation in the high hills of Garhwal and Kumaon. Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed the deployment of teams to ensure the safety and well-being of stranded passengers. With ground-level operations intensifying, the government has focused on providing food and accommodations to those affected. Continuous rainfall also led to waterlogging in Udham Singh Nagar and Khatima tehsil, prompting the evacuation of over 250 people.

Chief Minister Dhami's directives encompassed maintaining the safety of the public and ensuring essentials like drinking water and electricity remain unaffected. The state's Met department had earlier issued a red warning, accurately predicting the heavy to very heavy rains that have now disrupted life across multiple districts.

(With inputs from agencies.)