Uttarakhand rains: Seven dead in Dehradun, all schools shut

Dehradun, July 11: At least seven people died in rain-related incidents in Dehradun city of Uttarakhand.

All the schools in Dehradun will remain closed on Wednesday. Authorities have ordered the closure of all schools up to class 12 and Anganwadi centers following the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning.

The Chamba-Rishikesh NH-94 was blocked after landslides occurred near Fakot and Bhinnu areas of the state's Tehri district. The road clearing work is underway with machines being deployed in both the locations.

Heavy rains over the past two days has caused rivers to swell, and wash away bridges in some places. News agency ANI also tweeted an image of the heavy rains causing a flood like situation near the spot.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) wrote to all district magistrates to be on high alert in view of the Met department's warning. "Officials should be alert all the time and keep their mobiles phones and wireless systems on," it said.

The alert for heavy rain over Chamoli, Pauri and Rudraprayag districts remains in place for Wednesday. Reports say Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has cancelled the leaves and holidays of all officers. They have been asked to stay at their respective posts in a bid to shave off response time to the extent possible.

During the last 24 hours, good rains occurred along the foothills. Such as Mussoorie recorded very heavy rain to the tune of 163 mm and Shimla also recorded heavy rains to the tune of 60.2 mm, according to Skymet.

The rising water levels in the many rivers in the hll state is a particular cause for concern. The state had witnessed widespread destruction because of flash floods and landslides in 2013. The floods had killed 5,478 people and left thousands displaced. Over a lakh pilgrims were also left stranded by the landslides and bridge collapses.