The problem in the Uttarakhand district of Uttarkashi appears to have become volatile once again as the river Kheerganga, which had earlier caused massive damage in the village of Dharali, is again in spate. Repetitive rains in the upper Himalayan areas have resulted in a significant increase in the water level of the river, prompting officials to issue warnings and evacuate the populations around risk areas.
As reported by officials, the Harshil valley is also evacuated completely as a precautionary step. The administration has moved residents to temporary shelters and safer places. Teams of SDRF, police and district administration are on the rescue, with teams helping locals to evacuate. Relief camps are established where there is food, water and also medical facilities which provide safety and support to those displaced.
The river Kheerganga had previously done a lot of damage in Dharali, as in the flash flood, houses, agricultural land and the roads were swept away by the river. As the river rises once more, there are calls in the area of a repeat disaster. Officials warned about the possibility of landslides and further damage to infrastructure due to increasing water, and that is why people had to be evacuated.
In an effort to enhance safety, schools in the Harsil valley and surrounding areas have been closed until further notice. The safety of children is our priority. Schools will also continue to remain closed until the situation stabilizes, a district official said. In the meantime, vehicular traffic in some parts of the valley has also been prohibited owing to the chances of debris and blocked roads.
According to experts, floods in the country have been recurrent due to a combination of a number of factors, which include heavy rains during the monsoon season, glacial formation, and cloudbursts in the upper Himalayan region. These natural phenomena are usually known to create sudden rushes of mountain rivers, and these are highly unpredictable and destructive. The recurrent floods have again displayed the fragility of the ecology of Uttarakhand and the vulnerability of the hill communities.
Residents of Harshil and Dharali, who only now got rid of the effects of the previous devastation, felt fear and uncertainty about their future. Scores of families have been shortchanged on land and houses by the floods, and rebuilding processes are likely to consume many months.
The state government has encouraged citizens to help and cooperate with evacuation efforts, and engage in personal safety precautions to be cautious. The disaster management teams are closely following the situation, whereas, the weather department has forecasted more rain in the next few days and that has led to increasing concerns of additional troubles.
Harshil valley is at present deserted with its inhabitants staying elsewhere, and Uttarkashi is again at the mercy of Kheerganga river.
