The heavy rains are still hitting Uttarakhand, and landslides have now become a serious threat to Nainital. The district administration has provided an alert warning residents and tourists of the occurrence of landslides, mudslides and rockfalls in prone regions. The warning comes after days of continuous rainfall that has saturated slopes and made them weak, increasing the possibility of abrupt collapses along the hillside.
Nainital, which happens to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in Uttarakhand, has been receiving more rain than usual this season. The rain has messed up the normal lives of the people, clearing several roads and cutting off connections to some of the villages. The Nainital-Haldwani highway accident that happened recently, when a huge rock crashed down upon an on-going vehicle, has brought into the limelight the high risks of constant rains. Luckily, no serious injuries were reported, and the incident has helped highlight the risk that commuters are exposed to on the mountain roads in the state.
Considering the increased risk, the district administration has recommended that citizens should avoid non-essential commuting and, in particular, the cliffs and highways prone to rockslides. The tourists who had intended to visit Nainital have been asked to defer their visits till the situation improves. Schools in some districts, such as Nainital, have also been ordered to stay closed on a precautionary basis. They have put emergency response teams on alert and are working to keep an eye on vulnerable areas 24 hours a day.
Such heavy rains have not brought only landslide hazards. In other areas of the district, waterlogging, swollen streams, and road washouts have been reported. The Himalayan region has a weak ecosystem that is highly vulnerable to natural calamities during the monsoon period, and people are being advised to stay alert. Governments have also called on residents residing along the hill slopes and rivers to evacuate to better places in case they are required to do so as a precautionary measure against any mishaps.
Such warnings are not new to the local population, although the severity of this year’s rains has brought fear. As a number of roads have already been blocked and vehicles are reported to be stuck, the administration has promised to take necessary measures in terms of relief as and where necessary. There are also disaster management teams, police and medical teams on stand-by to handle any emergency that may occur.
With Nainital holding its own against the wrath of nature, the administration has indicated that safety has been made the number one priority. The warning is to remind people that the hills are both beautiful and peaceful, but during adverse weather, they can also become dangerous. Both residents and tourists have been encouraged to exercise high levels of caution, stay at home as much as possible, and adhere to the rules and regulations given by the authorities until the situation is under control.
