Cloudburst updates: Many missing in Uttarkashi's Dharali, red alert till tomorrow
HOURS after a cloudburst has led to flash floods in the high altitude villages of Dharali in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, a second cloudburst was reported in Sukhi Top nearby. Many people are feared missing, while rampant loss to property has been reported as visuals showed houses and vehicles being swept away by rapidly flowing waters.
Horrifying visuals of the incident showed a strong stream of water flowing down from a hill towards the Tharali village, sweeping away many houses. People recording the video from a distance were heard asking residents to flee.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah took stock of the situation, even as the Indian Army continues rescue and relief operations on war footing. The state issued helpline numbers - 01374-222722, 7310913129, 7500737269, 0135-2710334, 2710335, 8218867005, 9058441404.
Residents and authorities remain on the edge as the India Meteorological Organisation (IMD) has forecast more heavy rains in the region in the coming days. Authorities have asked schools to remain closed in several districts, including Dehradun and Haridwar.
Though floods and landslides are common in the hilly states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh during monsoon, experts say climate change, coupled with urbanisation, is increasing their frequency and severity. The UN's World Meteorological Organisation said last year that increasingly intense floods and droughts are a "distress signal" of what is to come as climate change makes the planet's water cycle ever more unpredictable.
Red alert till Wednesday
The weather body has issued a red alert, forecasting heavy rains, in Uttarakhand till Wednesday.
Visuals from this afternoon showed flood fury in Dharali village, as waters swept away houses and cars, even as locals feared occupants were trapped inside inundated buildings.
"What Is To Come...": Experts' Warning After Dharali Landslide
The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert warning for Uttarakhand's Dharali, saying it had recorded "extremely heavy" rainfall of around 21 centimetres.
Deadly floods and landslides are common during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change, coupled with urbanisation, is increasing their frequency and severity.
The UN's World Meteorological Organization said last year that increasingly intense floods and droughts are a "distress signal" of what is to come as climate change makes the planet's water cycle ever more unpredictable.
NDRF, ITBP Teams Rush To Dharali
Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the deployment of rescue teams from both the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to the cloudburst-affected area. Three ITBP teams have already been dispatched, while four NDRF teams are enroute and expected to join the rescue operations shortly.
NDRF told ANI that it's three teams-- one each from Manera, Batkot and Dehradun-- have been dispatched at the cloudburst site in Uttarkashi. "Further, two teams are in readiness at Shashtradhar airstrip for airlift."
Meanwhile, ITBP told ANI that its 16-member team has arrived at the cloudburst site in Uttarkashi to assist in rescue operations, and another team of its 12th Battalion has also been rushed from Matli in Uttarakhand.
1. Another cloudburst has been reported near Dharali, this time in a forested area in Sukhi Top.
2. The Jyotirmath-Malari road has been washed out near Saldhar. Travellers and local residents have been requested to avoid unnecessary travel.
