Rudraprayag: As Uttarakhand continues to be battered by relentless monsoon rains, a devastating landslide in the Khat Gadera area near Fata helipad claimed the lives of four people late Thursday night. The victims, all laborers from Nepal, were tragically trapped under debris following the heavy downpour.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched an intensive search and rescue operation shortly after receiving reports at 1:20 AM. Despite the rescue team’s swift response, the bodies of the four laborers were recovered from the rubble, marking a sad end to the overnight operation. The remains have since been transported to Rudraprayag.
Uttarakhand has been grappling with severe weather conditions, with heavy rains wreaking havoc across multiple districts, leading to widespread damage and loss of life. The situation has been particularly dire in the Rudraprayag district, where landslides have become frequent and deadly.
In a related development, the incessant rains have also caused significant disruptions in Chamoli district, where the Badrinath National Highway has been blocked by debris at several locations, including Nandprayag, Chhinka, Gulabkoti, Pagalnala, and Kanchanala. The Chamoli Police took to the social media platform ‘X’ to inform the public about the closures, urging travelers to exercise caution as they navigate the hazardous conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of continued heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand through August 26. According to the IMD’s latest forecast, several districts, including Dehradun, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar, are expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on Friday, August 23. Additionally, moderate to heavy rains are anticipated in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Almora, Champawat, and Haridwar, further exacerbating the already precarious situation.
Authorities are on high alert, and residents in vulnerable areas are advised to stay indoors and follow safety advisories as the state braces for more rainfall and potential landslides in the coming days.
