Though there has been no major disaster resulting from inclement weather in recent days, scores of roads have remained closed to traffic in various districts of the State.
light tremors from an earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale were experienced in Bageshwar district at 2 PM on Sunday with no human/animal casualty or damage being reported. The earthquake occurred about five kilometres deep below the ground level, as per a fax sent from the Indian Meteorological Department (New Delhi) to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
Meanwhile, a total of 48 pilgrims and eight personnel of National Disaster Response Force left for Kedarnath from Sonprayag on Sunday morning.
According to information provided by the SEOC, in Rudraprayag district the Rishikesh-Kedarnath national highway (NH 109) is open for traffic upto Sonprayag while the Gaurikund-Kedarnath bridle path is also open with clear weather being reported from Sonprayag, Gaurikund, Junglechatti, Bhimbali, linchauli and Kedarnath on Sunday though the Guptkashi-Kalimath motor road has remained blocked to traffic at Kavilta. In Chamoli district, the Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway (NH-58) is open for traffic till Badrinath though 28 other motor roads in the district are blocked.
In the Uttarkashi district, the Rishikesh-Gangotri national highway (NH 108) is open for traffic upto Gangotri while the Rishikesh-Yamunotri national highway (NH-94) is open for traffic up to Janakichatti though the Uttarkashi-lambgaon-Srinagar motor road has remained blocked by debris at Peepal Gadera.
According to the Tiloth bridge gauge report at 2 PM, the water level in the Bhagirathi was 1119.50 metres (danger level 1124 metres) on Sunday. In Haridwar district, the water level of the Ganga at 4 PM was measured at 291.70 metres (danger level 294 metres) with a discharge of 45,319 cusec. While highways and rural motor roads in Udham Singh Nagar district are reported to be open, in Nainital district the Bhujan-Betalghat-Garjiya main district road is blocked by debris while seven rural motor roads ar also blocked in the district.
Meanwhile, a total of 65 motor roads are blocked in the Pauri district, eight are blocked in Bageshwar district, five in Dehradun district, four in Almora, five in Champawat, about 20 in Pithoragarh and 33 in Tehri district.According to the Met office, on Monday there is probability of very light to light rain/ rain with thunder in some parts of the State especially in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts.