Uttarakhand cloudburst: At least 30 killed as heavy rains lash Chamoli, highways blocked

Heavy rainfall causes flood like situation in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/3QQpHiKFR0

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 2, 2016

In Uttarkashi 50 mtrs of the Gangotri highway road was washed away and Lata area was shut down. The Border Roads Organisation attempted to open roads. After the water level in the Koshi River in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand rose, alert was issued in nearby areas.

WATCH | Rescue Operation Underway In Pithoragarh Villages

“Champawat, Almora, Pauri, Dehradun, Tehri, Udham S Nagar, Nainital, Haridwar likely to receive heavy rainfall during next 48 hours,” said the MeT department.

On Saturday, Santosh Badoni, Deputy director, state disaster management centre, said, “Less rain now, rescue operations working quite smooth now.”

Uttarkashi-50 mtrs of Gangotri highway road washed away, Lata area shut down. Border Roads Org attempts opening road pic.twitter.com/PXknQL4WL8

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 2, 2016

Nainital (Uttarakhand): National Highway blocked due to landslides & heavy rain, trucks and buses stranded. pic.twitter.com/mMQBGhvgtS

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 2, 2016

#Uttarakhand: State Disaster Response Force conduct rescue operations in blocked areas in Pithoragarh’s Bastari pic.twitter.com/keQGUvcRuz

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 2, 2016

The State Disaster Response Force conducted rescue operations in blocked areas in Pithoragarh’s Bastari and from Chamoli to Mathana. The Army column of Assam Regiment troops rescued the villagers in Pithoragarh.

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An ITBP team of 35 members was sent for rescue operations towards Nolda village, 35 kms from Mirthi (Pithoragarh), said ITBP officials.

Officials added that 108 personnel of ITBP continued rescue operations in Pithoragarh. A total 7 dead bodies were recovered from the location till now, said officials.

Uttarakhand rain and cloud burst: Army column of Assam Regt troops come to the rescue of villagers in Pithoragarh. pic.twitter.com/U5BRwQ8cXT

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 2, 2016

In the early hours of Saturday due to the flooding triggered by heavy rainfall, the Gangotri Dham Yatra was temporarily halted at the highway.

Landslide forced the blockade of the Chamba-Rishikesh National Highway-94 in Bemunda where efforts were on to remove the debris.

Uttarakhand cabinet is likely to meet on Saturday over the damage caused in the state due to heavy rainfall and cloudbursts.

On Friday night, NDRF rescued a person stranded mid-stream in Bhagirathi in Dunda Tehsil of Uttarkashi.

According to villagers, it is for the first time in 100 years that the region has seen such a cloudburst. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Harish Rawat and Governor K K Paul expressed grief at the loss of lives in and asked officials to be on the alert.