Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc in Uttarakhand, Disrupting Reconstruction Efforts

Heavy rain pounded several parts of Uttarakhand, swelling rivers and damaging ongoing reconstruction work. The Dharma Ganga in Tehri Garhwal district caused the most destruction, undoing repairs from a July flash flood. Despite significant infrastructure damage, no casualties were reported. Heavy rainfall figures were recorded across various districts.

Heavy rain lashed several parts of Uttarakhand early Thursday, raising water levels of numerous rivers, including the Dharma Ganga, which damaged ongoing reconstruction work along its banks.

The Dharma Ganga flows through the Budhakedar area of Tehri Garhwal district, which endured severe flash floods in July, resulting in large-scale infrastructural damage. The flash flood isolated numerous villages and tragically claimed the lives of a mother and daughter in Toli village.

Reconstruction efforts launched post-July disaster have been largely undone by the river's swelling, according to Ghansali Subdivisional Magistrate Apoorva Singh. An excavator was among the damaged equipment, she noted. However, no casualties were reported.

Other districts, including Dehradun, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Almora, Rudraprayag, Pauri, and Uttarkashi, also experienced heavy rainfall, the State Emergency Operations Centre reported. Mussoorie in Dehradun district recorded 160 mm of rain, followed by Kalsi at 160 mm, Vikasnagar at 120 mm, and Dehradun at 81.5 mm. Nainital recorded 84 mm of rainfall.

The Kali river in Pithoragarh district is flowing at 888.6 meters, less than two meters below its danger mark of 890 meters, the centre added.

(With inputs from agencies.)