120 Trapped Devotees Safely Rescued in Rudraprayag Amidst Heavy Rains

CHAMOLI: The Relentless monsoon rains over the past three days have triggered a series of natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, resulting in the unfortunate loss of more than 80 lives due to landslides and cloud bursts. As the Meteorological Department continues to forecast heavy rainfall within the next 24 hours, the region remains on high alert. Amidst this challenging situation, around 250 pilgrims found themselves stranded in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district while on a visit to Madhyamheshwar Dham.

The predicament arose when the bridge connecting Madhyamheshwar Dham to the highway collapsed under the onslaught of heavy rains. In response, a rescue operation was promptly initiated via helicopters. However, a new obstacle emerged: the absence of a suitable landing spot at the dham. More than 7 local women stepped up and managed to transform an area into a makeshift helipad in a matter of hours. With the helipad in place, the trapped pilgrims were successfully evacuated, ensuring their safety.

In a separate incident, tragedy struck near Joshimath in Himachal Pradesh's Chamoli district as a house succumbed to a landslide. Regrettably, one individual lost their life in the incident. The event transpired in Helang village, situated along the Badrinath highway between Pippalkoti and Joshimath on Tuesday evening.

The Chamoli police revealed that extensive damage has been inflicted on the highway, impacting areas such as Pipalkoti, Gadora, Navodaya Vidyalaya Pipalkoti, Gulabkoti, Pagalnala, and Vishnuprayag within the district. Recent days have witnessed the loss of 55 lives in the state due to heavy rains, landslides, and cloud bursts. The dire conditions have led to the closure of over 950 roads at various locations across the region.

As the region grapples with the aftermath of these natural calamities, authorities, local communities, and dedicated individuals come together to provide assistance, undertake rescue operations, and foster a sense of unity amidst adversity.