Uttarakhand CM Dhami conducts aerial survey of flood-hit areas in state

Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) [India], August 14 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in the state and also reviewed the increasing water level of the Ganga river in Rishikesh district.
He conducted an aerial survey of Mohanchatti, the disaster-affected area of ​​Yamkeshwar block of Pauri district. 
After the survey, CM Dhami said that several places have been damaged in the last 48 hours due to incessant rains in the state adding that the Kedarnath Yatra has been stopped for the next two days.

"Several places have been damaged in the last 48 hours, due to incessant rainfall in the region. Roads have washed away, bridges have been damaged. Kedarnath Yatra has been stopped for the next 2 days. The water level in Ganga River is also rising, keeping this in mind, search and rescue teams are kept on standby," he said.
As per the official inputs, Rishikesh is witnessing a flood-like situation due to incessant rains and the water level of Ganga is above the danger level.
The Triveni Ghat submerged due to increased water level in Ganga. Rishikesh police has barricaded the tourists from going to Ganga Ghat, the officials informed.

Due to incessant rains, a large part of the road in Thano-Bhogpur on the Dehradun-Rishikesh road has been washed away by the strong current of the river
Meanwhile, the officials informed that the Char Dham Yatra has been stopped temporarily on August 14 and 15 following disruption in the movement of traffic due to landslides after heavy rainfall in the state.
Badrinath National Highway in the Pipalkoti area in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district was seen blocked due to debris triggered by a landslide, following intermittent rainfall. Several vehicles have also been buried under the debris.
Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana inquired from the Disaster Control Room about the damage caused by incessant rains in the district and the current situation.
He directed all the SDMs that immediate relief should be provided to the places where there has been damage due to rain.
DM has also given instructions to stop the yatra immediately in view of the Badrinath highway being obstructed at many places and the possible danger of landslides on the highway and to keep the pilgrims at safe places.
Uttarakhand's Rishikesh recorded the highest rainfall, across the country, in a span of 24 hours on Monday morning with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data showing that it received 42.00 cm of rain during the period.
According to IMD, Rishikesh is followed by Himachal Pradesh's Kangra which received 27.00 cm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.
Also, CM Dhami earlier today held separate telephonic conversations with district magistrates and took stock of the devastation in the State caused by heavy rains.
Due to heavy rains in Uttarakhand since Sunday, normal life was disrupted in Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pauri and Dehradun districts and other areas.
Meanwhile, Rudraprayag Police have issued guidelines asking people to avoid unnecessary travel.
"Due to incessant rains, the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers passing through the Rudraprayag area have become fierce, so avoid going to the banks of the river. Due to the rain, the routes are also obstructed at many places, so avoid unnecessary travel if it is not necessary," Rudraprayag Police Uttarakhand tweeted.
An official estimate earlier put the toll from rain-related incidents at 52 while another 37 people were injured. Heavy rains in Uttarakhand triggered landslides and flash floods in several places, officials said.