Amidst recurring spells of rainfall and landslides in parts of Uttarakhand, the national highways to the Char Dham shrines remained blocked to traffic at various points with the Government machinery reportedly working to reopen the roads.
With at least 57 persons having died due to disaster incidences resulting from disaster incidences in this year’s rainy season so far, many in the State are questioning the commitment of both the State and Central Governments towards taking effective measures for disaster mitigation instead of unscientific road construction and ill-planned ‘development’ which are believed to have perpetuated land slides and other disaster incidences in the State.
According to information from the State Emergency Operation Centre on Monday, the Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway number 58 was blocked to traffic by debris near the lambagad slide zone in Chamoli district. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is undertaking measures to clear the road for traffic in addition to which work is also stated to be underway to reopen 28 rural motor roads reported blocked in different areas of Chamoli district.
In the Rudraprayag district, the Rishikesh-Kedarnath national highway number 109 is blocked by debris near Munkatia whereas the bridle path from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is also blocked near Junglechatti. Efforts are underway to reopen the bridle path to Kedarnath. In the Uttarkashi district, the Rishikesh-Gangotri national highway number 108 is blocked to traffic near Gangnani area with the BRO working to reopen the road.
The Rishikesh-Yamunotri national highway 94 has been opened for small and big vehicles upto Janakichatti, apart from which about 20 rural motor roads are blocked in the Uttarkashi district. According to official data on Tehri district, the Suwakholi-Bhawan-Nagun motor road, Uttarkashi-lambgaon and Ghansali-Tilwada motor roads have remained blocked to traffic. Apart from these, about 19 rural motor roads are reportedly blocked in the Tehri district. In the worst affected Pithoragarh district, the Pithoragarh-Thal motor road is blocked near Visabhjet, the Tawaghat-Pangla-Garwadhar motor road is blocked by debris near Gasku while the Tawaghat-Kanjyoti-Sobla motor road is blocked near Khet.
From June 1 to August 1, 57 people have died and 13 are missing, besides hundreds of animals also died.With 93 homes fully damaged, 292 severely damaged and 1454 partially damaged, a total of 850 disaster affected are sheltering in 11 relief camps.