Uttarakhand floods: more rains predicted

Uttarakhand has barely had any time to recover from the three days of extreme rains and accompanying floods and landslides that have demolished buildings, bridge and roads, leaving scores dead and more unaccounted for. Just 12 hours after the rain in the region ceased and rescue operations were pushed into top gear, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts rain after another two days.

Light to moderate rain forecast

M Durai Swamy, scientist, IMD, says the sky will be almost clear till June 23. However, it will rain again from June 24 onwards. This session of rain would be light to moderate, he adds. Durai Swamy denies any possibility of a cloud burst in the area. He says, however, that the exact intensity of rain cannot be predicted.

If it were to rain again, it would impede the rescue operations which gathered momentum just on Thursday evening when rain in the area dwindled. Rescue teams had been struggling to reach and evacuate the large number of tourists and pilgrims stranded in the region because of roads and bridges having been destroyed. The continuous rain added to their woes.

As soon the rain stopped, 45 helicopters were deputed to rescue the stranded. The Indian Army began to fell trees to ease landing of helicopters. The Army’s website says that 6,200 army personnel continue to remain deployed for flood relief operations in Govindghat, Rudraprayag, Dharchula, Harsil, Mana, Lakshar, Bageshwar, Gauchar and Yamunotri. It also says that 14,500 civilians have been evacuated.



 

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