New Delhi: Sacred pilgrimage site of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath has once again faced natures wrath. A cloudburst on Wednesday night caused damage and led to an alarming rise in the Mandakini rivers water level at Sonprayag. Authorities, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district police, and administration, are on high alert. Approximately 150 to 200 pilgrims are reported stranded in Kedarnath Dham due to this disaster.According to reports, the cloudburst and landslide occurred on the Kedarnath footpath at Bhim Bali Gadera. The intense rainfall and subsequent landslide have damaged around 30 meters of the footpath with heavy boulders and debris, making the path unsafe for travel. Consequently, authorities have halted movement on this footpath. No casualties have been reported so far.Haridwar submerged by torrential rainIn Haridwar, relentless heavy rains on Wednesday evening have led to widespread flooding. The Kharkhari dry river filled with water, sweeping away Kanwariyas vehicles and submerging roads. Many areas, including Bhupatwala, Haridwar, Naya Haridwar, Kankhal, and Jwalapur, are facing severe waterlogging. Rainwater has even entered the Kankhal police station, creating a challenging situation for residents and officials alike.Breaking🚨: Cloudburst on the Kedarnath trekking route leaves 150 to 200 pilgrims stranded.Sudden rise in water levels in the #Sonprayag River #Mandakini River now flowing above the danger mark🚨#Uttrakhand #Kedarnath #delhirain#flood #GOLD #Olympics pic.twitter.com/40pTooVhJc— pradhyumn sharma (@pradhyu78651514) July 31, 2024Red alert issued due to heavy rain The Regional Meteorological Center has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rain in seven districts of Uttarakhand over the next 48 hours. This alert, effective from Tuesday night, warns of potential thunderstorms, lightning, and extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas of Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Champawat.Previous incidentsThis is not the first time such precautions have been taken. On July 26, schools and Anganwadi centers in Dehradun were also closed following an orange alert issued by the National Disaster Management Authority for heavy rains. The closures affected all government and private institutions from class 1 to 12, prioritizing safety during adverse weather conditions.
