Uttarakhand rains trigger landslides, boulder crashes into govt residential unit

Heavy rainfall triggered landslides and caused a massive boulder to crash into a government residential unit in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, on Wednesday, according to local media reports. The incident occurred in the early hours of the day, damaging the structure and injuring a woman. The boulder struck the wall of the home belonging to government employee Govind Singh Negi, where he was sleeping with his wife, Reva Negi, and their young child. The family has since relocated to a safer area after concerns arose over the structural integrity of the building, which could potentially collapse under further heavy rain. The landslide activity disrupted multiple roadways across the state, particularly affecting the Char Dham pilgrimage routes and other key highways. In Uttarkashi district, the Yamunotri National Highway (NH-134) near Syanachatti was temporarily closed due to landslides and falling rocks. National Highway personnel worked through the morning to clear the debris and restore traffic by approximately 10 am. Another section near Papargad, previously restricted for heavy vehicles, was repaired and reopened for lighter traffic. In Tehri district, six motor roads were blocked, requiring urgent intervention to restore connectivity. Heavy machinery was deployed along the Mussoorie Bend-Kempty route to remove obstacles caused by landslides and boulders. Damage extended beyond transportation infrastructure, impacting irrigation systems and water supplies in several areas. In Jaunpur tehsil, irrigation channels in Aindi, Khaskoti, Pavet, and Gharada villages sustained damage. A pedestrian pathway linking Aindi and Piftausi was also affected, while heavy rainfall disrupted the drinking water supply pipeline in Parogi village. These disruptions highlight the widespread impact of the weather conditions on both rural and urban infrastructure. Meteorological data indicates that Uttarakhand received 15.8 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours preceding the incident, surpassing the normal rainfall of 13.1 mm by 21%. Dehradun recorded the highest precipitation at 44.5 mm, significantly exceeding its average of 17.8 mm by 150%. Other regions such as Bageshwar, Almora, and Chamoli also saw above-average rainfall. River levels rose sharply, with the Alaknanda in Rudraprayag reaching 626 metres, just one metre below its danger mark. Similarly, the Mandakini river stood at 624.98 metres, perilously close to its warning level. At Gaurikund, the river flowed at 1,973.88 metres, nearing the threshold of 1,975.06 metres. Authorities have taken measures to mitigate risks associated with rising water levels and ongoing rainfall. Public advisories have been issued to keep people away from rivers and high-risk zones. District disaster management officers, such as NS Rajwar in Rudraprayag, emphasized continuous efforts to monitor and warn residents. Meanwhile, the Tehri reservoir maintained a water level of 804.75 metres, with controlled discharge set at 394 cumecs. While major rivers like the Ganga, Alaknanda, Balganga, and Bhilangna remained below danger marks, they approached warning levels in several locations. As the situation continues to unfold, authorities have implemented precautionary measures, including the closure of all schools and Anganwadi centers in response to an orange alert issued by the India Meteorological Department for Thursday in Dehradun, Chamoli, and Bageshwar districts. This alert warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and isolated intense downpours. A yellow alert persists in Tehri, Uttarkashi, and other districts, indicating continued risk of adverse weather conditions.