Heavy rains lash North India; 9 killed

Dehradun, July 17: Heavy rains in Uttarakhand claimed at least nine lives and caused immense trouble, reminding people about 2013 massive flash-floods that had claimed several lives.

SDM Badkot Rajkumar Pandey informed today that "Two persons died late last evening in Nandgaon village near Badkot in Uttarkashi district when a tree fell on their house following heavy rains in the area."

MeT office Director Vikram Singh said "15-year-old Akash Ram was also got seriously injured in the incident, he said.With two more deaths reported from Uttarkashi the toll in the current spell of rains in Uttarakhand which started on Friday night rose climbed to three."

"A woman was killed yesterday morning as the bus she was travelling in overturned after being hit by the overflowing waters of a canal in Haldwani in Nainital district. Heavy rains are likely to continue in the state for another 24 hours making things worse especially in Udhamsingh Nagar, Haridwar and Dehradun districts where extremely heavy rains are expected at a couple of places during the period, MeT office Director Vikram Singh said, Singh said.

River Alakananda crosses the danger level mark, triggering panic among nearby residents, in the flood-hit state.

According to reports, The Dehradun Meteorological Centre had issued an alert for "heavy to very heavy rains" during next 24 to 48 hours in the entire region of the state and also informed that according to the State Disaster Management Department, the Ganga at Haridwar had reached a mark of 293.05 metres which was just about a metre below its danger level.

Heavy rains in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand caused landslides and around 22 roads were blocked in many villages.

The state's meteorological centre also issued an alert by announcing, "Residents should be on alert and people living in low lying areas should move to safer places."

Char Dham Yatra suspended

The Char Dham Yatra also remained suspended due to frequent landslips caused by incessant rains in the state on Saturday.

Around 150 kanwarias, devotees of Lord Shiva, were stranded on their return from Gaumukh when two bridges between Gaumukh and Gangotri were damaged by the rising water in the River Bhagirathi.

"Eighty kanwarias were rescued and were brought safely to Gangotri", Uttarakashi District Magistrate Dipendra Chaudhary said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has asked the respective district administrations to take efficient measures for safety and security of residents and pilgrims.

A media report stated that "at least three persons were killed in rain-related incidents in Bihar, while the flood situation remained critical in Assam. Heavy rain in Karauli district of Rajasthan has led to a deluge-like condition there."

Heavy rain in the national capital (Delhi) on Saturday left commuters in trouble as several parts of the city were waterlogged.

OneIndia News