Rains stall relief operations in Uttarakhand

Moderate to heavy rains today lashed most parts of Uttarakhand stalling ongoing relief operations and work on restoration of damaged roads in the calamity-hit state. Low visibility conditions induced by an overcast sky and intermittent rains kept a central team on a mission to assess the damage caused by the recent calamity in the state confined in Pauri.

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The team was to undertake an aerial survey of the affected areas near Badrinath, Gangotri and Dharchula areas and interact with flood-hit people, official sources here said. Incessant overnight rain in Chamoli district brought debris on to Gadora road this morning hampering road restoration work underway in the area, Chamoli ADM Sanjay Kumar said on phone.

Most places across the state received moderate rains while heavy showers lashed Dehradun, Mussoorie, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Nainital districts, the MeT office here said. Mussoorie received the maximum 108 mm of rains, followed by Jakholi in Rudraprayag which recorded 95 mm of rains, Barkot (Uttarkashi) 74 mm of rains, Nainital 67 mm and Dehradun 65 mm of showers, it said.

Rains at most places hampered road restoration work and relief operations, official sources here said. However, relief material in small quantities continued to be transported in choppers to affected areas wherever weather permitted, they said.