Uttarakhand on alert after incessant rain lashes Dharchula

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government has sounded an alert at Dharchula and its nearby areas in Pithoragarh district, including the Kailash Mansarovar yatra route and Joljeevi areas bordering with Nepal, in the wake of incessant rainfall for the last four days in the region.
Rain has paralyzed life in the region forcing people to remain indoors. "This is just a pre-monsoon shower, but it has virtually created flash flood-like situation", said a senior district official at Pithoragarh.
Senior district authorities at Pithoragarh said on Wednesday night the Sumdun glacier broke down resulting in an alarming rise in the water levels of a mini-canal also called Sumdun.
A senior engineer in state irrigation department said two wooden bridges built on the canal were washed away.
According residents of Sumdum village, the collapse of these bridges, has completely cut them off from other parts of Dharchula and its nearby villages. "The bridges are the lifeline of the locals of the region. Since the collapse we have been unable to step out of our villages to purchase essential items like milk, vegetables, fruits and other day-today rationing items," said 56-year-old Alam Singh of Sumdum village.
SDM Dharchula Pramod Kumar said that he has sent a 12-member fact-finding team to the affected areas.
Kumar said he sent the team on a directive by top officials from Dehradun. "We have been closely monitoring the situation, so as to take precautionary measures to prevent any untoward situation", said chief secretary Subhash Kumar. He added all necessary step have been taken to ensure the safety of locals living in the region.