Uttarakhand is reeling under a severe rain and flood crisis, with relentless downpours triggering fatal landslides, sweeping away vehicles and claiming an unexpected victim - a leopard, whose drowning has become a symbol of the catastrophe’s widespread impact.
The state has been battered by intense rainfall, leading to dangerously rising river levels and significant disruption. According to a report by The Indian Express, the district of Champawat received 109 mm of rain in the past 24 hours, while the capital, Dehradun, recorded 73.6 mm.
This deluge has pushed several rivers beyond their danger marks, prompting mass evacuations and a red alert across multiple districts.
The human cost of the disaster was underscored on Monday when falling boulders struck a Bolero vehicle in Munkatia. Of the eight passengers inside, two lost their lives and four were seriously injured.
Amid the chaos, a poignant video shared on X by Dr PM Dhakate, a senior state official, has drawn significant attention. The clip shows the lifeless body of a leopard being carried away by powerful floodwaters. Dr Dhakate, who serves as Special Secretary to the Chief Minister and for Minority Welfare, captioned the post: “A heartbreaking loss. A Leopard drowned due to flash floods triggered by heavy rains in the Uttarakhand, Himalayas. Nature’s power is immense; let us stay mindful of wildlife safety.”
The footage prompted an outpouring of grief online. One user described the incident as “tragic,” while another reflected, “At the end of the day, nature has its way.” A third commented, “Heartbreaking, May it’s soul achieve nirvana and never come back to this planet.”
The environmental emergency is escalating, as reported by The Indian Express. In Dehradun’s Asthal area, which saw 122 mm of rainfall, the Shalini River has surged to 777.75 metres, exceeding its danger mark of 777.5 metres. Similarly, the Yamuna River in Uttarkashi’s Kuthnaur has risen to 1427.61 metres, just above its danger level of 1427.5 metres.
Authorities have issued a red alert for several districts, including Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri Garhwal, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar. Forecasts warn of extremely heavy rainfall and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning. Uttarkashi, one of the worst-hit regions, is bracing for intense to extremely intense rain.
In response to the rising waters of the Ganga, several ghats along the river have been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The situation continues to severely hamper daily life and impede relief operations, with numerous roads blocked by landslides and flood debris.
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