Nine labourers feared dead, alert of heavy rains sounded in Uttarakhand (updating)

PrashantNews

At least nine labourers were missing in cloudburst in Uttarkashi district early Sunday as an alert of very heavy rains was sounded in Uttarakhand prompting the government to suspend the Chardham yatra for a day.

Nearly nine labourers were missing at Silaiband area of Uttarkashi district on Yamunotri highway following a cloudburst that swept away a large part of the highway where they were sleeping in a makeshift camp, top officials said.  A total of 19 labourers were camping in the aera for the construction of a hotel. The remaining ten labourers were safe.

A number of pilgrims have been stranded in Yamunotri area due to the damage to the highway. Nearly 10-12 feet of the highway has been washed away in the cloudburst. Pilgrims have been asked to stay at safe places. A government statement said the Chardham yatra has been suspended for a day in view of the heavy rains.

TV channels showed footage of the damage to the highway caused by the cloudburst at Silaiband area where the workers were sleeping.

SDRF and local police have launched rescue operation in the area.

Elsewhere in the hill state, heavy to very heavy rains were continuing since Saturday night triggering landslides at number of places in the hill state. An alert has already been sounded in the state in view of the heavy rains which are likely to continue for few more days.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has appealed to the people to remain alert in view of the warning of heavy rains and avoid unnecessary travels.

 

By Shishir Prashant

Shishir Prashant is a senior journalist having vast experience working in prestigious media organizations like PTI, Business Standard, Deccan Herald and Kashmir Times

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *