Monsoon fury continues in Uttarakhand with the death toll in floods and landslides touching 44. Thousands of tourists and pilgrims have also been stranded at various locations. Chopper sorties have resumed on as the weather cleared a bit. The government has dispatched NDRF teams to help in rescue operations. However, incessant rains and landslides have crippled communication, severely hampering rescue operations. The Dehradun Met department says the state capital received a record 340 mm of rainfall on Monday and has forecast more heavy rains in the next 24 hours. Several roads, including National Highway- 24, have been blocked to avoid any more traffic jams. Landslides have been continuing in various parts of the state.
The river Ganga at Haridwar is now flowing in high flood situation. Several highways like the between Delhi and Haridwar, Rishikesh and Yamunotri and Gangotri and the Badrinath are blocked.
Our correspondent adds that 2 helicopters of the army have been pressed into service to expedite relief and rescue work. Food packets are being air dropped in affected areas. At least 500 Jawans from NDRF have reached the affected areas and are carrying out rescue work. Meanwhile, yesterday in Uttarkashi 1 kilometer road at Joshiyada washed away and more than hundred houses have been swept away, while the Tiloth bridge has come under dangerous zone due to which vehicular movement has been stopped completely. The water levels of Bhagirathi, Alaknanda and Mandakini have started receding. Supply of electricity and water has been disrupted completely in affected areas. Meanwhile, more than thousands of pilgrims are still trapped in affected areas.