Uttarakhand Rain Havoc: SDRF Initiates Search and Rescue Amidst Fatalities and Landslides

Following heavy rains that struck Uttarakhand on Sunday night and Monday, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has resumed search and rescue operations to locate eight missing individuals. These efforts come in the wake of rain-triggered accidents and landslides that have affected the state, resulting in fatalities and disruptions.

Search and Rescue Resumes Amidst Rain Impact

In response to the heavy rainfall that hit Uttarakhand over the course of Sunday night and Monday, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has recommenced search and rescue operations. Their primary objective is to locate the eight individuals who remain missing as a consequence of these adverse weather conditions.

Rain-Related Fatalities and Landslides

As the rain battered the state, it led to a series of devastating landslides, causing damage to infrastructure and blocking key roads. These calamities have resulted in a death toll of five individuals over the span of the last two days. Among the casualties, a Haryana woman's body was discovered in Pauri district, while the remains of a 10-year-old girl were found in Rishikesh.

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Previous Rain-Related Incidents

On Monday, the SDRF teams successfully recovered the bodies of three individuals who had lost their lives in various rain-related accidents. These efforts exemplify the swift response of the authorities in addressing the consequences of the adverse weather conditions.

Rainfall Data and Weather Alert

In terms of rainfall measurements, Bageshwar received the highest amount of rainfall in the state over a 24-hour period, totaling 14.5mm. This was followed by Tehri with 9.2mm, Rudraprayag district with 7.8mm, Chamoli with 7.3mm, and Pithoragarh with 5.5mm. Given the ongoing weather situation, the India Meteorological Department's Dehradun Centre issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall at isolated places within the state for the next four days. This alert comes with warnings of thunderstorms, lightning, and the possibility of intense or very intense rainfall in certain spots.

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Determined Search Efforts

SDRF Uttarakhand commandant Manikant Mishra detailed the ongoing search operations, revealing that four teams consisting of 28 SDRF personnel are actively involved. They are focused on the Mohan Catti area in Pauri district, where a landslide buried five Haryana tourists who were staying at the Nightlife Paradise Camp.

Additionally, a separate SDRF team comprising 14 members, including deep divers and flood rescue experts, are conducting search operations in the Lakshman Jhula area near Rishikesh. In this area, a vehicle carrying three individuals fell into the Ganga River, leading to the tragic drowning of Reena Sharma (38), Tejaswi, and Shubham.