With the summer heat melting the glaciers faster, the rising levels of Bhagirathi river have raised the level of anxiety being experienced by those living along the banks of this river in the Uttarkashi district.
The rising waters of the Bhagirathi covering the banks of the river are also adversely affecting by the execution of flood security works which the locals complain were started late in the first place.
On Monday evening, a labourer taking a bath near Kailash Ashram in Ujeli was stranded on an islet due to the rising river waters. It was after many hours of efforts that the police was able to rescue him with the help of ropes. With the melting of the Himalayan glaciers due to summer heat, the Bhagirathi water levels are rising. At present, 240 cumec water is being discharged in the Bhagirathi. With the water level rising, the banks of the rivers are also getting submerged which in turn is hampering the flood protection works meant to be completed before the advent of the monsoon season. On Monday evening two labourers engaged in flood security works were taking a bath in the river near Ujeli. The water suddenly began rising and they were surrounded on both sides by the water.
While one of them- Sabir took the risk of swimming out to the bank, Hasan remained on the small islet. The police was able to rescue him with help of ropes late in the evening. However, the rising waters have elicited focus on the inefficiency of the authorities that have failed to ensure timely completion of the flood protection works which are vital for preventing considerable damage along the banks of the Bhagirathi during the monsoon. locals allege that such works were started late and even now the quality of work is inferior.