Rudraprayag: Following the cloudburst incident that occurred in Kedarnath Valley on 31 July, the landslide and soil erosion along the bank of Mandakini River continues in the disaster affected area. Consequently, a massive landslide occurred near Bhimbali on Kedarnath trek route on Sunday after which the flow of Mandakini river was stopped due to the heavy amount of debris fallen into the river.
केदारनाथ में प्रकृति का तांडव: देखिए पूरा पहाड़ ताश के पत्तों की तरह ढहते हुए
भीमबली के पास केदारनाथ पैदल मार्ग पर हुए इस विशाल भूस्खलन का यह वीडियो दिल दहला देने वाला है। पूरा पहाड़ जैसे ताश के पत्तों की तरह ढह गया।
इस भीषण घटना से मंदाकिनी नदी का प्रवाह रुक गया और एक अस्थायी… pic.twitter.com/32fO6qHmAS
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A lake has been formed in the area
Rudraprayag district disaster management officer Nandan Singh Rajwar reported that a landslide occurred on a hill near the Mandakini river, opposite the Bhimbali helipad, a few kilometres from Gaurikund. This landslide temporarily halted the river’s flow, creating a lake in the area. Although there is no immediate danger, the District Disaster Management Centre has issued a precautionary alert to residents living along the riverbanks. People are also advised to take precaution and have been asked to not go near the river and to remain alert.
Uttarakhand is reeling under weather challenges
Uttarakhand is grappling with the severe impact of monsoon rains, causing extensive damage to roads and residential buildings. The state’s hilly regions have been experiencing continuous rainfall since the monsoon began, leading to ongoing weather challenges. According to the Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Office, multiple landslides have occurred on the Kund-Ukhimath-Chopta-Gopeshwar highway.
Iron bridge over the Mandakini River in Kund is under threat
Additionally, the iron bridge over the Mandakini River in Kund, which connects the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund National Highway to Kedarghati and Kedarnath, is under threat due to strong river currents. After an inspection, Public Works Department officials expressed concern that the strong currents are eroding the bridge pillars’ foundation, posing a risk to the local population and alarming the administration and National Highway authorities.
On Sunday, officials from the National Highway Construction Division and PWD inspected the bridge site and immediately banned the movement of heavy vehicles on the bridge.
Yellow alert sounded in all the districts
As a precautionary measure, the Uttarakhand IMD has issued a high alert in the affected areas, with emergency services on standby to respond to any further emergencies. In view of possible emergencies, the situation is being closely monitored by the government and residents are advised to exercise extreme caution.
