Uttarakhand’s Badrinath Highway Devastated by Heavy Rains, Halting Pilgrimage, Heavy Rains Continue To Create Havoc In Different Parts Of India

Uttarakhand’s Badrinath Highway Devastated by Heavy Rains

The Badrinath shrine, nestled in the picturesque Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, holds immense spiritual significance as a key Hindu pilgrimage site. It forms an integral part of the revered Char Dham Yatra, along with Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. However, the tranquillity of this sacred journey was shattered when heavy rainfall triggered a landslide, washing away a crucial 100-meter stretch of the Gauchar-Badrinath highway.

Visuals from the affected site depict the road submerged in debris, rendering it impassable for pilgrims and vehicles alike. In the wake of this calamity, a government statement confirmed that it would take an estimated two to three days to restore the damaged section of the highway. Until then, the pilgrimage to Badrinath remains disrupted, causing distress to countless devotees.

Not limited to the Badrinath highway, the impact of the heavy rains and landslides also affected other regions of Uttarakhand. At Bhattnagar near Gauchar, a part of the road caved in, resulting in the burial of five vehicles parked nearby. Thankfully, no casualties were reported in this incident, and authorities are actively working to clear the debris and reinstate normalcy.

Further reports accentuate the severity of the situation, as landslides blocked the Yamunotri national highway in several places between Barkot and Gangnani. Despite the challenges, authorities are making concerted efforts to reopen the road for traffic, striving to alleviate the difficulties faced by travelers.

In addition to the highway disruptions, landslides wreaked havoc in other regions of Uttarakhand as well. Purola’s Chhara Khad witnessed cloudbursts and landslides, leading to the burial of numerous vehicles parked along the roads. The devastating force of nature also struck Dhauntri village, disrupting power supply and exacerbating the hardships faced by residents in the affected area.

Amidst the trail of destruction, some relief can be found in the safety of students at the Kasturba Gandhi Girls Residential School in Gangnani. Although the landslide debris entered the school’s premises, all students remained unharmed, sparing the region from further anguish.

Cars Swept Away in Flooded Junagadh; Heavy Rain Warnings in Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh

Gujarat’s Battle with Heavy Rains, Monsoon’s relentless downpour wreaked havoc in Gujarat, causing severe flooding in multiple cities of the state. In Junagarh district, the intensity of heavy rains was so overwhelming that cars were swept away by swollen rivers.

IMD’s Warnings, The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued critical warnings for heavy rainfall in several states. Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, and flood-affected Himachal Pradesh were placed on alert for the next few days as the threat of more heavy rain loomed.

Delhi’s Yamuna River Reaches Alarming Levels, The national capital, Delhi, experienced chaotic scenes as the Yamuna River’s water level reached a record-breaking high of 208.66 meters on July 13. Despite receding momentarily, it breached the danger mark again, raising concerns for the safety of the city’s residents.

Evacuation Efforts in Yavatmal, The Yavatmal district in Maharashtra faced severe inundation, leading to the trapping of around 110 citizens in Anandnagar Tanda of Mahagaon taluka. Fortunately, all the trapped individuals were successfully evacuated and taken to safety amidst the heavy rains.

Tragedy in Raigad, In Maharashtra’s Raigad district, a tragic landslide in Irshalwadi village claimed the lives of 26 people, with at least 85 individuals still reported missing. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) were imposed in the affected area, citing challenging search operations due to ongoing rains and potential risks of further landslides.

Gujarat’s Multiple Alerts, Gujarat was hit hard by torrential monsoon rains, prompting the IMD to issue red, orange, and yellow alerts for various districts until 24 July. Navsari city experienced over 200 mm of rainfall in a few hours, leading to overwhelmed drainage systems and flooding in low-lying areas.

Himachal Pradesh’s Weather Woes, Himachal Pradesh faced moderate to very heavy rains, resulting in landslides, flash floods, and road accidents. Shimla and Kinnaur districts witnessed flash floods that damaged houses, crops, and vehicles, leading to the postponement of the Kinner Kailash Yatra. The state’s Chief Minister sought urgent disaster relief funds from the Centre to aid affected communities.

Water Level Surge in Hathnikund Barrage, Rains impacted Punjab and Haryana, leading to a rapid rise in the water level at the Hathnikund barrage. Various regions, including Ambala, Rohtak, and Kurukshetra, received significant rainfall within 24 hours, according to the weather department.

Telangana’s Rain Woes, Telangana faced continuous rainfall for three consecutive days, causing water logging and traffic snarls in Hyderabad. In Bhadrachalam, the Godavari River’s water level reached a critical point, prompting the issuance of the first flood warning.

How Prepared Is India To Tackle Monsoon Season?
In India, the monsoon season is a welcome seasonal phenomenon essential for agricultural growth and replenishing water resources; however, with the advent of the rains, there is a particular vulnerability to cities that are prone to waterlogging and many issues related to infrastructure are a bane.
This year-round, the story is that of excess, as monsoons continue to create havoc throughout and in various parts of the country, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life.

Flooding in Cities and Towns, Heavy rains have resulted in flooding cities and towns, overwhelming drainage systems and submerging low-lying areas. Urban areas with inadequate infrastructure are particularly vulnerable to such flooding, causing immense disruption to daily life, damage to property, and even loss of life.

Landslides and Debris Flow, Hilly regions, especially in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of the Northeast, are witnessing landslides triggered by heavy rainfall. These landslides have resulted in roadblocks, damaged homes, and led to loss of lives and livelihoods. The sudden movement of debris due to heavy rain can also cause debris flow, which poses significant risks to nearby communities.

Agricultural Losses, While rains are essential for agriculture, excessive and poorly distributed rainfall has led to crop damage, waterlogging, and soil erosion. Farmers, in the interim, are suffering significant losses due to their crops being submerged or washed away, impacting food security and livelihoods and food inflation.

Transportation Disruptions, Flooded roads and railways have disrupted transportation and communication networks, isolating communities and hindering the movement of essential goods and services. This situation has also exacerbated relief and rescue operations during emergencies.

Threat to Human Lives, Heavy rains and floods have directly threatened human lives, with many people losing their lives due to drowning or being caught in the deluge.

Damage to Infrastructure, Rains have caused severe damage to the infrastructure where parts of roads have been washed away, including bridges and buildings, resulting in substantial repair costs for the government and private sectors.

Spread of Waterborne Diseases, With floodwaters, the risk of waterborne diseases increases as waters become contaminated, leading to the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea. The lack of clean drinking water and proper sanitation facilities in flooded areas worsens public health.

Impact on Wildlife and Ecosystems, Heavy rains and flooding have also adversely affected wildlife and natural ecosystems. Disrupted habitats and loss of vegetation have led to animal displacement and disrupted ecological balance, with many citings of wild animals like lions walking on highways to escape floods.

Displacement and Rehabilitation, In severe cases, floods have forced people to evacuate their homes, leaving them temporarily or permanently displaced. The rehabilitation and rebuilding of lives after such disasters is challenging and requires substantial support from the government and humanitarian organizations.

The Last Bit, The recent heavy rains and landslides in Uttarakhand have caused significant damage to infrastructure and disrupted pilgrimage routes, mainly the revered Badrinath highway. As the region grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster, the government and rescue authorities are working tirelessly to restore connectivity and ensure the safety of residents and travellers.

At the same time, the monsoon rains, while crucial for sustaining life in India, have created havoc this year, with the intensity exceeding the capacity of the regions to cope with them.
It has pointed to glaring facts- there is a need for strengthening disaster preparedness, implementing effective early warning systems, and investing in resilient infrastructure are essential steps in mitigating the impacts of heavy rains and floods in the future.