Rain fury blocks Char Dham highways, over 100 roads in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: More than 100 roads in Uttarakhand, including all four important National Highways connecting Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, remained blocked on Sunday following recurring landslides triggered by incessant rainfall in the past 24 hours.
The Rishikesh-Kedarnath National Highway (NH-107) remained blocked at Banswara and Jaamu due to constant falling of debris from the hills, while efforts were on to remove the rubble to restore traffic movement.
Traffic movement on Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway (NH-58) was affected after boulders and debris blocked the road at Lambagad and Tangadi, according to state emergency operation centre (SEOC).
Besides, the Gangotri National Highway (NH-108) and Yamunotri National Highway (NH-94) were blocked due to heavy rainfall in Uttarkashi district. The Gangotri highway was blocked at Harsil, Badeti and Helgugad, while landslide at Dabarkot blocked the highway connecting Yamunotri.
According to SEOC, as many as 119 roads in Uttarakhand, which include national highways, state highways, district roads and village roads, were affected by heavy showers. A maximum of 31 roads remained blocked in Dehradun district, followed by 15 roads in Pithoragarh district. Notably, several places in Uttarakhand received over 100 mm of rainfall within a 12-hour duration between Saturday night and Sunday morning. According to regional meteorological centre, Koti in Kalsi block of Dehradun district received 170 mm rainfall, a maximum for Uttarakhand, while Haldwani, Nagthat and Nainidanda recorded 110 mm rainfall each. Chakrata in Dehradun district and Bhimtal in Nainital district were lashed by 100 mm rains.