Tragedy struck Uttarakhand's Gaurikund village once again as two individuals lost their lives to fresh landslides on a rainy Wednesday morning. This unfortunate event marked the second landslide in Gaurikund within a span of five days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised a yellow alert for multiple districts in Uttarakhand, forecasting more heavy rainfall in the upcoming days.
The site of this recent tragedy in Gaurikund village is situated just a short distance away from where a landslide occurred on August 4, claiming three lives and leaving 20 individuals missing. Monsoon rains have been consistent and intensifying across various states, with some states experiencing clear skies and sunny days. The IMD's predictions indicate that the northwestern regions of India might face substantial rainfall over the next two to three days. Particularly, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Jharkhand are expected to receive heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, Assam and Meghalaya are bracing for heavy to very heavy rain on August 11 and 12, and an orange alert has been sounded for Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
The IMD has sounded an alarm against torrential downpours in Uttarakhand until the weekend. Notably, an orange alert has been issued for Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Nainital, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, and Tehri. Furthermore, it has been predicted that Champawat, Dehradun, Pauri, and Nainital are highly likely to experience heavy rainfall on August 9. The relentless rain in the hilly state has not only disrupted daily life but has also inflicted significant damage to infrastructure. Numerous vehicles remain stranded on roadways for extended periods.
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The impact of heavy rainfall extends beyond Gaurikund. Kotdwara has witnessed severe landslides, leading to the distressing sight of the Siddhbali Temple submerged in monsoon floods. Haldwani has also been hit hard by the rainfall, prompting the Sub Divisional Magistrate to assess the situation and ensure essential supplies for local residents. Unfortunately, the relentless rain has resulted in a grim toll of human lives, with at least 31 individuals losing their lives in various rain-related incidents. Flash floods, landslides, and house collapses have taken a heavy toll on the state.
Amidst the challenges posed by the unforgiving weather, a team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) managed to rescue 15 stranded individuals from the middle of a river near Malan bridge, under the jurisdiction of Kotdwar police station in the Pauri Garhwal district.
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The recent landslides in Uttarakhand's Gaurikund, coupled with the ongoing heavy rains and the looming threats predicted by the IMD, paint a challenging scenario for the state. As authorities and rescue teams continue their efforts to mitigate the impact of the monsoon's fury, the people of Uttarakhand remain resilient in the face of adversity.
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