Garhwal region experiencing incessant rains for the past three days and resultant landslides, traffic on the Char Dham Yatra route was disrupted for some hours on Tuesday. Things were the same on other connecting roads under the purview of public works department (PWD). However, the rains battering the region fiercely have failed to dampen the spirit of the four-shrine pilgrimage. Badrinath, Kedarnath and Hemkund Shahib are still seeing considerable footfalls. The Government officials claimed that the pilgrimage was continuing despite the road blockage for one to three hours. BRO and other departments were engaged in clearing the blocked roads of the debris to restore normalcy, they further said.
Things look grim with Alaknanda and Mandakini remaining in state of spate. It was learnt that both the rivers were flowing a bit below the danger level on Tuesday. The level of Akaknanda standing at an alarming 533.82 meter in Srinagar, the villagers living in its vicinity are scared. The Government officials say that if the rains continue with the present intensity the level of Alaknanda might touch the danger mark in the coming days. Even the possibility of the river changing its course and flooding some areas cannot be ruled out either, they say.
It is learnt that 10 roads under the care of PWD have been blocked across Pauri district which include one state highway. This aside, four PMGSY roads and five rural roads have also been blocked on Tuesday. Efforts are on to reopen them at the earliest, said the officials of the departments concerned. The rains recorded were 40.20mm in Srinaggar, 16.00 mm in Thallisain, 21.50mm in Dhumakot and 8mm in Kotdwar on Tuesday.