Uttarakhand

Monsoon continued to wreak havoc on Friday with parts of Northern India again observing rainfall activity.

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Several areas of the national capital were battered in rain early on Friday (Aug 2). According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi is expected to receive intermittent showers till August 5. 

Meanwhile, heavy rains severely hit the pilgrimage route to Kedarnath in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand on Wednesday night. As many as 14 people have lost their lives and 10 others have been injured due to severe overnight rains that caused flooding and a house collapse in Uttarakhand, according to officials on Thursday.

More than 700 people are currently stranded in affected areas.

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According to the Uttarakhand police, as many as 737 people have been rescued by helicopters and at least 2,670 people have been taken to Sonprayag by the relief forces so far.

Uttarakhand Rains: Over 700 people stranded on Kedarnath route, rescue operation underway

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The Indian Air Force has deployed one Chinook and Mi-17V5 helicopter to carry out human assistance and relief operations in the Kedar valley of Uttarakhand.  

They will be working in coordination with the State government authorities, said Defence officials. 

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"The rescue operations will continue today also to facilitate the safe evacuation of all stranded passengers," the SDRF spokesperson added while emphasising that they will continue to work selflessly. 

Amid heavy rainfall in Tehri and Rudraprayag districts, Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar informed on Thursday that the Kedarnath Yatra has been suspended for two days due to weather conditions and 12 NDRF, 60 SDRF teams are engaged in rescue work.

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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to the disaster management secretary regarding the heavy rain and gathered information about the current situation and relief and rescue operations.

Also Read | Indian Air Force's Chinook, MI17 start rescue operations in Kedarnath after cloudburst strands pilgrims

Due to the adverse weather conditions, an advisory has been issued for pilgrims in Rudraprayag, who are heading to Kedarnath, to wait until they get official updates on favourable weather and the reopening of blocked roads. Currently, the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers in Rudraprayag district are flowing close to the danger mark.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several districts in Uttarakhand. Since June 15, Uttarakhand has reported over 30 deaths in rain-related disasters.

(With inputs from agencies)