This was the rage of nature being observed in the holy cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh, with the Ganga River in a danger zone after steady monsoon rains that have breached their limits. High levels of water have created fears of flooding throughout Uttarakhand, and the administration has put out alerts and tightened security precautions.
The water level of the river Ganga in Haridwar was rising above the current level and endangering low-lying land. Popular ghats have been shut down by the influx of river water, and the authorities have advised people and pilgrims to avoid going to riversides. To thousands of devotees who throng the city daily, the sight of the powerful Ganga with all her furious strength must have been not only something awing but something alarming also.
The crisis is confronting another big spiritual centre, Rishikesh. The rapid increase in the river has caused partial submergence of ghats, and flood waters have reached the iconic sites located along the bank of the river. This has not only interfered with the normal flow of pilgrims and tourists, but authorities have blocked off entry and exit to riverbanks to prevent cases of accidents. The picture of water rising to almost cover religious iconic figures and platforms has sealed the seriousness of the situation.
The origin of this massive increase can be attributed to unending heavy downpour in the Himalayan region. A number of rivers, such as the Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, and Mandakini, are also overflowing beyond their natural levels, contributing to the pressure on the river Ganga downstream. Cloud bursts and flash floods with landslides in the upper reaches have further aggravated the situation, and this has pushed enormous amounts of water into streams and tributaries of the Ganga.
The operations to rescue and provide relief have also been increased by agencies like the State Disaster Response Force, as well as the local police. Teams are waiting to evacuate occupants of the vulnerable places, as well as making public announcements and alerts to ensure people stay away from the river. Showers are likely to increase, thus authorities are keeping watch on it and taking necessary precautionary measures to protect life and property.
Monsoon in Uttarakhand has never been easy, yet this year the rains have brought the concern to far greater levels. The threat of flash floods, road blockage and landslides in many areas has already created havoc to normal life in a few districts. Highways and pilgrimage routes have been hit, and this increases the burden faced by the locals and tourists.
With the Ganga still raging down the Haridwar and Rishikesh, people are still tense, and the administration is on high alert. As of now, the message is clear: be careful, stay at the river and be ready for any emergency like the wrath of the monsoon unfolds.
