Uttarakhand Struggles with Rains, Landslides, Rising Ganga Water Levels Trigger Alert

New Delhi, July 17, 2023: Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in Uttarakhand, causing landslides and blockages on several roads. The Ganga river has crossed the danger mark in Devprayag and reached the warning level in Haridwar, owing to the release of excess water from the dam on the Alaknanda river.

Officials reported that the Ganga was flowing at 463.20 meters, leading to the flooding of Sangam Ghat, Ramkund, Dhaneshwar Ghat, and Fuladi Ghat. The water level surged significantly after 2,000-3,000 cusecs of water was discharged from the GVK hydroelectric project dam on the Alaknanda river.

In response to the rising water levels, the Tehri District Disaster Management officer issued warnings to people to stay away from the riverbanks. The Ganga’s water level in Muni ki Reti area near Rishikesh reached 339.60 meters, 0.10 meters above the warning level.

In Haridwar, the Ganga surpassed the warning level at 293.15 meters, prompting alerts in low-lying areas. The State Disaster Operation Centre instructed the repair of Gate No. 10 of the Bhimgoda barrage urgently to prevent heavy losses caused by the swift water flow through the breached gate.

Amid incessant rains in the past few days, 71 villages in Laksar, Khanpur, Roorkee, Bhagwanpur, and Haridwar tehsils are facing a flood-like situation. Rescue and relief operations are underway with the support of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), army, and state police.

In Chamoli district’s Joshimath, the abutment of a bridge on the Joshimath-Malari road was damaged due to debris and excess water in the Girthi Ganga river.

The Dehradun Meteorological Centre has issued an ‘orange’ alert, warning of heavy rain across all 13 districts of Uttarakhand on Monday. Meanwhile, in Pithoragarh’s Dharchula area, the water level of the Kali river is flowing above the warning level of 889 meters.

Haridwar has been severely affected, with 3,756 families in 71 villages experiencing the brunt of the floods. Among them, 81 families have been relocated to relief camps. Five fatalities have been reported, with seven houses completely damaged and 201 partially damaged. Heavy rains have also caused damage to 17 roads and nine bridges in Haridwar.

With the situation critical, the State Emergency Operation Center has advised district magistrates of Tehri, Pauri, Dehradun, and Haridwar to take necessary precautions.