Due to the consistent rainfall in the mountainous regions, the level of water in one of the major rivers in Kumaon- the Gaula river rose rapidly on Thursday. Following the swift rise in water level, the irrigation department at Kathgodam opened all the sluice gates of the Gaula barrage dam resulting in 21,000 cusecs discharge. At the same time, the district administration has also appealed those living in river bank areas to remain alert.
About 13,000 cusecs water has also been released in the Nandhaur river which flows near Chorgalia. According to sources, both the rivers were flowing near the alarming level on Thursday.
Following the rise in the level of water in the Gaula river, about one dozen villages located on the banks of this river are under potential threat. The officials of the district administration claim that necessary arrangements have been made to prevent damage. The administration is keeping an eye to ascertain the river does not make its way towards the villages. Reports were also received about the level of the water in Gaula rising at Bindukhatta and in the Srilanka island area.
In the Kaladhungi area too all the rivers and nullahs are in spate. On Thursday, following rainfall in the mountainous regions, there was a flashflood in the Methishah nullah in Kaladhungi. A car with members of a family was carried away by the strong current of the water. locals who witnessed the mishap were later able to rescue the people from the car using a rope while the torrent swept the car off the road and upturned it in the nullah. Two people were injured in this mishap. Arriving at the site, the police sent the two injured to the local hospital.