Uttarakhand: Chandrabhaga River inundates Rishikesh, three rescued by SDRF

Tehri Garhwal (Uttarakhand) [India], September 16 (ANI): The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rescued three people after the Chandrabhaga River in Rishikesh district swelled following heavy rains since Tuesday morning, causing water to reach the highway and prompting authorities to urge residents to remain cautious near rivers and streams.

The SDRF team also cleared the road blocked due to a tree falling near Khara Srot in the Muni Ki Reti area in Tehri Garhwal district. Continuous rain led vehicles to get stuck due to debris on the road. The SDRF team reached the spot and ensured vehicles crossed safely.

According to the SDRF, the road was blocked due to a large tree falling ahead of PWD Tiraha, which the team cleared to restore traffic. “The road got blocked due to a lot of debris near Lemon Tree Hotel, where the road is being opened with a JCB. The team is keeping an eye on all possible places,” the SDRF added.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday expressed concern over the extensive damage caused to shops and hotels due to heavy rainfall in Dehradun’s Sahastradhara area and directed officials to speed up rescue and relief operations.

The torrential rains lashed Dehradun on Monday night, causing the Sahastradhara river to overflow. The gushing waters carried debris into the main market area, leading to significant damage to several commercial establishments.

In a social media platform X, Chief Minister Dhami said, “Sad news has been received that some shops were damaged due to heavy rain at night in Sahastradhara, Dehradun. The administration, SDRF, and police are on the scene, engaged in relief and rescue operations. In this regard, I am in constant contact with the local administration and personally monitoring the situation. I pray to God for everyone’s safety.”

Furthermore, heavy rainfall lashed Dehradun district on Monday night, causing the Tamsa river to swell and inundate the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple, one of the city’s most prominent shrines. Water entered the temple courtyard and rose to the statue of Hanuman, though the sanctum sanctorum remained safe.

Speaking to ANI, Temple priest Acharya Bipin Joshi said that the river started flowing heavily since morning, and the entire temple premises were submerged.

“The river started flowing heavily since 5 AM, the entire temple premises were submerged… This kind of situation had not taken place in a very long time… Losses have been incurred at various places… People should avoid going near rivers at this time… The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is safe… No human loss has been reported as of now…” he said.

Local residents also narrated their experience of how the water surged inside the cave temple. One of the locals told ANI that the water level has started increasing, and it has risen to 10-12 feet.

“Around 4:45 am, the water entered the cave… Later, when the water level started increasing, it rose to 10-12ft… The water reached above the ‘Shivling’… Somehow, we made our way, and with the help of the rope, we came up…” he further added.

While speaking to ANI, another local added that the temple has faced a lot of damage due to the strong flow of water.

A local says, “Due to the strong flow of water, a lot of logs came floating, due to which the temple has faced a lot of damage… In this situation, everyone should stay away from the river…” he told ANI. (ANI)

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