Traffic hindered on Char Dham routes

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1

Incessant rain disrupted traffic for a few hours on the Char Dham Yatra routes across the state today. The downpour triggered mudslides and landslides in several areas. The Rishikesh-Badrinath road was among the worst affected as a number of stretches on it were washed away amid heavy rain. However, there have been no reports of any pilgrim stuck anywhere up to Hemkund Sahib.

No sooner the news of landslides and mudslides started pouring in, officials of the district administration and the PWD swung into action to clear the road blockage to ensure smooth flow of traffic on the yatra routes. The traffic was restored in most of the affected areas, except the Ghat development block in Chamoli district.

Hemkund Sahib Trust vice-chairman NS Bindra said roads and routes up to Ghagaria were open for vehicular movement. He said the police had registered a case as some anti-social elements were spreading rumours that the Govind Ghat bridge had damaged. Additional Secretary, Disaster Management, C Ravishanker said the district administration had been directed to close schools in Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts. The disaster response teams had been instructed to remain alert for the next 72 hours as the state meteorological centre had forecast heavy rainfall in seven districts.

Garhwal IG Sanjay Gunjyal said rescue teams, including State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police personnel, were immediately sent to various places to carry out rescue and relief operation in the affected areas.