Heavy rainfall on way, toll 38 in Uttarakhand

As the death toll in Uttarakhand reached 38, the Meteorological Department has forecasted'very heavy rainfall in Garhwal and Kumaon regions in the coming days. A travel advisory has been issued asking travellers to stay away till the situation normalises.

At the time when several Indian states are facing flood fury, heavy rainfalls have lashed out in the hilly state of Uttarakhand. Alaknanda River is already flowing 30 feet above its normal level.

The weather department has issued an orange warning which means heavy to very heavy rain in the region.

Areas like Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag, and the districts of Kumaun region like Pithoragarh, Champawat, Bageshwar and Nainital will remain most affected.

According to Director of Uttarakhand Weather department Bikram Singh, the warning of heavy rain will be continued till August 19.

Singh added that the local residents and the pilgrims should avoid travelling in the rain as there are so many patches which are highly sensitive zone.

The monsoon rains have caused maximum destruction in Chamoli, where the death toll has reached 15.

During team Aaj Tak's ground report of Rudraprayag, it was found that all the ghats were submerged under floodwater. Alaknanda River is already flowing around the danger mark and more rains would make the situation grim.

While going from Joshimath to Badrinath, most of the pilgrims were facing problem at Lambagar which is prone to landslides.

Local administration is making all the arrangements for the travellers. To ensure the safety of the pilgrims a new route has been made functional.

District Magistrate of Chamoli Swati S Bhadoria, while speaking to Aaj Tak, said, "We are making alternate arrangements and routes for travellers. There is a patch of 300 meters which is prone to landslides, so we have deployed a team which can immediately initiate action in case of any calamity.