A village on edge as heavy rain forms artificial lake in Uttarakhand

District Magistrate Prashant Arya said that a National Disaster Response Force team reached the site with a boat to release the water in the lake along with a group of State Disaster Response Force officers. Increased rainfall exacerbates the risk of floods, and the authorities say they have noticed a decrease in the water level.

A similar lake had been formed in Harsil near Gangotri after the Dharali floods when the debris had obstructed the flow of Gangotri, resulting in the formation of the lake that flooded the Gangotri highway. The authorities have been working to drain the lake for over two weeks, which is still underway. A canal was constructed parallel to the river to channel the lake water.

To deal with the current emergency in Yamunotri, the DM directed that two additional boats be arranged near the lake and that the nearest helipad be identified and made operational.

Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said that at present, water is being drained out from one side of the river. However, due to marshy ground, channelisation has not yet been possible. Relief and rescue teams are considering alternative options as well.

Moreover, a team from the Central Water Commission is at Syana Chatti and is also monitoring the Yamuna water level. According to the Executive Engineer, Irrigation Division, Purola, the Yamuna river water is flowing along the edge of the blockage, and the water level has reduced. The Health Department has deployed five doctors, 10 paramedical staff, and four ambulances. The power supply in Syana Chatti has been switched off. Through the community kitchen, arrangements for food for affected people and rescue personnel are being made by the Food and Civil Supplies Department.