Rains lash Uttarakhand, landslides hit Chardham yatra

Dehradun, July 29: Two houses and a cattleshed collapsed in Chamoli district as rains lashed most parts of

today triggering landslides and sending major rivers into spate even as roads to the Himalayan shrines remained blocked at several places affecting Chardham yatra.

Landslips triggered by heavy rains caused rubble from the hillside to fall over two houses and a cowshed at Odar village near Tharali in Chamoli district razing them to the ground, a disaster management and mitigation centre release said. Food items in these structures were destroyed but there was no loss of life, it said.

Chardham yatra remained affected with roads to the famous Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri was blocked at a number of places.

National Highway (NH) 109 which goes to Kedarnath was blocked by debris

The National Highway (NH) 109 which goes to Kedarnath was blocked by debris at Chandrapuri and Kund following landslips, Rishikesh-Badrinath highway was clogged at Bainakuli, and Lambagad whereas Gangotri highway was blocked at half a dozen places and the one going to Yamunotri at Wadiya.

Meanwhile, Kedarnath yatra, whose suspension was extended for a couple of days earlier due to bad weather, remained stalled for the 14th day today. The threat of floods in the plains also looms large with major rivers flowing close to the danger mark. Ganga at Rishikesh was flowing at 339.30 metres against the danger mark of 339.50 metres.

At Haridwar it was flowing at 292.50 metres less than a metre down the danger mark at 293 metres. Alaknanda at Badrinath was flowing at 3111.45 metres, less than two metres down the danger mark at 3113 metres.

Intermittent rains lashed many parts of the state with places in Kumaon region receiving heaviest showers. Nainital received the highest 85 mm of rains followed by Dharchula at 34 mm and Munsayari at 19 mm.

PTI