Two IAF personnel drown in lake as heavy rains lash Uttarakhand

Two Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel tragically drowned in a lake in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, during a holiday trip, as heavy rainfall continued to lash the state. The deceased were identified as Prince Yadav from Pathankot, Punjab, and Sahil Kumar from Muzaffarpur, Bihar. They were part of a group of eight IAF personnel, including four women, who were vacationing in Nainital when the incident occurred.

Circle Officer Pramod Shah said the two drowned in a swollen lake while exploring the area amid ongoing rainfall. Locals and the police worked together to recover the bodies. The rescue effort took nearly an hour due to the rising water levels and strong currents.

Monsoon brings major disruption

The heavy rains have been causing widespread damage across Uttarakhand. Over a hundred roads have been closed, including major highways, which has severely affected transport and daily life. The Chardham Yatra has also been disrupted due to landslides and road closures.

In the Geeth area of Uttarkashi district, villages are facing food grain shortages as road connectivity has been broken for days. People are appealing to the administration for help with essentials like food and water.

The highway to Yamunotri has been blocked for the past five days after a massive landslide hit shelters of construction workers at Silai bend. This incident left nine people missing and swept away a 12-metre stretch of the road.

In addition, the road to Kedarnath is also closed due to landslide debris between Sonprayag and Gaurikund. Officials are trying to clear the route to resume travel.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday to review the situation in disaster-hit areas, including Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district. Dhami said in a social media post that the Central Government is sending emergency help through NDRF and ITBP teams to ensure safety and restore the Chardham Yatra.

Meanwhile, large rocks and mudslides have blocked the Badrinath highway at several spots, making the situation even more difficult for both locals and tourists.

Rivers rising, homes flooded

Most rivers in Uttarakhand are currently flowing just a few metres below the danger mark. These include the Ganga in Haridwar, Alaknanda, Nandakini and Pindar in Chamoli, Bhagirathi in Uttarkashi, and the Kali, Gori, and Saryu rivers in Pithoragarh district.

The Alaknanda river is in spate from Badrinath to Rudraprayag, while the Mandakini river has been rising steadily for the past three days. Authorities have started issuing warnings through loudspeakers in areas close to the riverbanks to alert residents.

In Uttarkashi's Barkot area, the overflowing Yamuna river has formed a lake at Syanachatti. The lake’s water has started entering nearby homes and hotels, creating panic among residents and tourists.

Barkot SDM Brijesh Tiwari visited the location to take stock of the situation. An excavator was used to remove silt and clear the lake’s outlet in an effort to prevent further flooding.

Efforts are also underway to reopen the Yamunotri highway, which has been damaged at several locations including Ojri and Banas. The long closure has led to food shortages in remote villages in the Geeth area.

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A local social worker, Mahavir Panwar Mahi, said the government must act quickly to provide food and essential items to these villages before the situation worsens.

In Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand, several roads are waterlogged due to blocked drains and overflowing sewers. Areas like Prince Chawk and the roundabout near Doon Hospital are the worst hit. Officegoers and schoolchildren are facing major difficulties commuting through flooded streets.

As per the State Emergency Operation Centre, a total of 109 roads are currently closed across the state due to rain-related damage.

The India Meteorological Department has warned that similar weather conditions are expected to continue in many districts of Uttarakhand over the next few days. People have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay alert to weather updates.

Emergency teams are working around the clock to reopen blocked roads, drain flooded areas, and assist people stranded due to the rain and landslides.

The situation remains critical in the hill state, with officials keeping a close eye on river levels, landslide-prone areas, and road conditions.