High alert sounded in Kumaon; Purnagiri pilgrimage stopped

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, July 6

In the wake of the Met department forecast of heavy rain in Kumaon, the authorities have sounded a high alert in the region and also stopped the Purnagiri pilgrimage in Champawat district as a precautionary measure.

The weather department has said that rain spell is likely to continue for five-six days in the Kumaon region starting from Sunday evening. “An alert has been sounded in the high-altitude subdivisions of the district, which are sensitive to landslides and flash floods,” said RS Rana, district disaster management officer, Pithoragarh.

Disaster management in charge and Tanakpur SDM Naresh Durgapal said residents living along the rivers in Tanakpur and Banbasa had been cautioned against floods. “We have asked officials at the Sharda headwork and NHPC projects to remain alert and keep monitoring the situation on a regular basis,” said Durgapal.

The administration has set up temporary shelters at Panchmukhi, Dharmashala, Nagar Palika hall and the old tehsil office for people living alongside the rivers, so that they could be shifted here during an emergency.

The Champawat administration has deployed 21 JCBs in sensitive areas to clear the debris in case of roadblocks. “We have sent additional ration and other essential goods to the remote areas of the district and asked officials to ensure regular supply before these areas are cut off from the mainstream,” said Dipendra Chaudhari, Champawat District Magistrate.

Meanwhile, a helicopter has been pressed into service at Munsiyari to rescue 83 persons who are trapped in Ralam village of the Johar valley. “The helicopter will take sorties from Monday if the weather improves,” said an official.