14 Killed in Uttarakhand Rains; Kedarnath Yatra Suspended

Fourteen people have died and ten others were injured due to heavy overnight rains in Uttarakhand, which caused flooding and a house collapse. Several rivers swelled, leading to the suspension of the Kedarnath Yatra. Landslides triggered by the downpour blocked the trek route at multiple locations, including Ghoraparav, Lincholi, Badi Lincholi, and Bhimbali.

In response to the situation, the Uttarakhand government announced that two Indian Air Force helicopters, a Chinook and an MI 17, have been dispatched to assist in rescue operations. This decision followed a review by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Additionally, three aviation turbine fuel tankers have been sent to aid the efforts. The PMO has assured Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami of all necessary support.

Rescue Operations and Casualties

According to police reports, 425 pilgrims were airlifted from Lincholi and Bhimbali, while 1,100 others reached Sonprayag on foot with rescue teams' help. The State Emergency Operation Centre reported that a child was swept away in a flooded drain in Haldwani, Nainital. Search operations are ongoing to locate him.

Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh confirmed that two people drowned in a canal in Raipur on Wednesday night. Their bodies were recovered and identified as Sundar Singh and Arjun Singh Rana. In another incident in Dehradun, two individuals were swept away while bathing in a river near Sahasradhara parking on Thursday. Local residents recovered one body before the SDRF team arrived; the second body was later found by the SDRF.

Impact on Infrastructure

The heavy rains also caused significant damage to infrastructure. A stretch of road was washed away in Bhimbali on the Gaurikund-Kedarnath trek route due to large stones blocking the path. In Bharpur village of Roorkee area in Haridwar district, a house collapse resulted in four deaths and ten injuries. Eight of those injured are reported to be in critical condition.

In Tehri district's Ghansali area, a landslide following a cloudburst damaged a roadside restaurant, killing three family members: Bhanu Prasad, his wife Neelam Devi, and their son Vipin. Vipin was rescued but succumbed to his injuries en route to AIIMS Rishikesh. Tehri District Disaster Management Officer Brijesh Bhatt provided these details.

Weather Conditions and Government Response

The meteorological department reported significant rainfall across various regions: Dehradun recorded 172 mm, Roshanabad in Haridwar 210 mm, Raiwala 163 mm, Haldwani 140 mm, Roorkee 112 mm, Narendra Nagar 107 mm, Dhanolti 98 mm, Chakrata 92 mm, and Nainital 89 mm since Wednesday.

Chief Minister Dhami has urged officials to stay vigilant. He posted on social media about the adverse weather conditions affecting life across many areas and highlighted that rescue teams worked through the night to ensure people's safety. Dhami visited the State Emergency Operations Centre to review the situation and instructed Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman to coordinate with District Magistrates.

Kedarnath Yatra Advisory

An advisory has been issued for Kedarnath-bound pilgrims currently in Rudraprayag. They are advised to remain where they are until further notice regarding weather improvements and road restorations. Both Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers in Rudraprayag district are nearing danger levels.

In another tragic incident in Kunkhet village of Gairsain tehsil in Chamoli district, a woman died when debris from a hill fell on her house on Wednesday. The authorities continue their efforts to manage the aftermath of these severe weather conditions.

BJP president JP Nadda also reviewed the situation as part of ongoing efforts to address the crisis caused by these intense rains.