People are facing many problems due to monsoon rains. After the rain, the closure of roads continues due to landslides and falling boulders. It is a matter of concern that due to landslides, the road connectivity near China border has been cut off in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.
Due to continuous rain in Uttarakhand, roads in the mountainous regions have been badly damaged. On Saturday, it was reported that 189 roads were closed across the state due to rain. However, after a day’s efforts, 50 roads were opened, after which 139 roads are still closed.
According to the report released by the Disaster Management Department, a large number of roads have been closed in the hilly districts. Tehri has the highest number of 33 roads closed. While 27 roads are closed in Pauri, 23 in Champawat, 20 in Rudraprayag, 22 in Dehradun, 17 in Nainital, 18 in Chamoli, 10 in Bageshwar district.
These include national highways, state highways and district roads. PWD Chief Engineer said that the work of opening roads is being affected due to continuous rain across the state. He said that efforts are being made to open the roads as soon as possible. Due to the closure of roads, the passengers including the villagers are facing a lot of difficulties.
Closed roads should be opened as soon as possible: Vinod Kumar Suman
In view of the forecast of heavy to very heavy rains in most of the districts of Uttarakhand on Sunday by the Meteorological Department, Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman reviewed the situation of the districts from the State Emergency Operation Center (Control Room) located at IT Park of Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority. During this, he instructed the District Disaster Management Officers of all the districts to remain on alert and keep an eye on the situation. On Sunday, Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman reached the State Emergency Operations Center and through video conferencing took information from the disaster management officers of all the districts about the current situation and the rain in the districts.
He gave instructions regarding National Highway, State Highway as well as rural roads that whatever roads are closed, they should be opened as soon as possible so that the general public does not face any kind of problem. During this, the Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation also took information about traffic operations in the State and National Highways. He said that if the roads are closed, signage should be installed and information about this should be conveyed to the people. Also, information about the opening of the road should also be ensured to reach the general public through various means. He also instructed to take necessary steps to open the rural roads as soon as possible.
He also took information from the DDMO regarding the water level of the rivers and instructed to immediately send information to the State Emergency Operations Center regarding any emergency situation. Along with this, he asked to send people to safe places when the water level of the rivers increases and to make people aware about staying away from rivers and drains.
Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman said that information has been received about misleading and fake posts being posted on social media regarding various disasters. Old videos and photos are being circulated in a wrong way by claiming them to be current. He told all the DDMOs that such misleading social media posts should be refuted immediately so that there is no atmosphere of fear and apprehension among the general public.