Gopeshwar, Aug 23 (PTI) A young woman died and another person went missing on Saturday after heavy overnight rain in Tharali town of Chamoli district sent a rain drain flooding and depositing debris at several houses and markets in the area, according to State Emergency Operations Centre.
An official said that more than 30 people were also injured, out of which six were sent to AIIMS, Rishikesh with the help of a helicopter in view of their critical condition.
Tunri Gadhera, the rain drain that channels excess rainwater, also filled the tehsil office with debris before joining the Pindar River.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the death of the woman.
He said that the relief and rescue teams have reached the spot and are engaged in work and he himself is constantly in touch with the local administration.
The incident took place around 1 am when Tunri Gadhera started overflowing, filling muck in many houses in the tehsil complex, Chepdon Bazaar, Kotdeep Bazaar and the surrounding areas of Tharali.
The officials said the woman died in a house in Sagwara village after being buried under debris. Her body has been recovered. On the other hand, a person is reported to be missing in Chepdon market.
Some vehicles are also buried in the debris while the SDM residence has also been damaged.
The Chief Minister also spoke to the public representatives of Chamoli over the phone and took detailed information about the damage caused by the incident. He requested them to cooperate with the district administration in relief and rescue operations.
State Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said that 10-12 houses were heavily damaged and 20-25 houses were partially flooded and covered with debris.
He said that two houses were completely damaged.
Suman said a lot of debris is also accumulated on the surrounding roads and routes, to remove which five JCBs are working on the spot.
A total of 10 main routes have been blocked due to heavy rains while electric poles and wires have also been damaged and at present power supply has been stopped in the area, which will be restored only when the situation becomes normal.
Suman said that helicopters have been kept ready in Gauchar but due to bad weather, the helicopters could not fly.
He informed that at present, under the leadership of Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari and Superintendent of Police Sarvesh Panwar, more than 150 officers and employees of various agencies including District Administration, Police, District Disaster Management Team, Fire Services, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing.
The DM, who is monitoring the relief and rescue operations on the spot, has appealed to the people to stay in a safe place.
The officials said that more than 150 people have been affected in the incident, who are currently staying in the tehsil premises. Arrangements have been made for food, water, medical facilities as well as other basic needs for them.
According to the Chamoli District Disaster Management Centre, the Karnaprayag-Gwaldam National Highway connecting Tharali has been closed. Additionally, the Tharali-Sagwara Motorway and the Dungri Motorway have also been blocked.
The district administration has declared a holiday for Saturday in all the schools of the three development blocks, including Tharali, due to the current situation and the forecast of heavy rain.
Meanwhile, orders have been issued for the acquisition of the rest house and office of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam in Kulsari village and the building of Garhwal Mandal Development Corporation in Dewal village with immediate effect.
They will be used temporarily to carry out the work of the tehsil office and set up relief camps for the affected people. PTI DPT NB NB
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