149 Pilgrims to CHAR DHAM YATRA succumbed to death, mishaps in two months : By Anushka Maitra
Around 31,00000 people have visited Badrinath-Kedarnath-Gangotri-Yamunotri shrines since the outset of the yatra season.
The initial 65 days of the annual char dham yatra season in Uttarakhand saw the demises of 149 pilgrims. Over 3100000 populace have visited Kedarnath since the advent of the Yatra season which started on April, 2023
Officials announced that the Kedarnath Yatra has been stopped at Uttarakhand's Sonprayag due to heavy rain in Rudraprayag district on Sunday. Rudraprayag District Magistrate Mayur Dixit said, "Kedarnath has been closed till further orders till the heavy rains continue."
HEAVY RAINFALL IN UTTARAKHAND
Several districts of Uttarakhand received heavy rain as the southwest Monsoon reached the state on Saturday. The India Meteorological Department said Haridwar received 78 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, followed by Dehradun (33.2) and Uttarkashi (27.7). The rainfall is expected to continue in these areas for the next few days. A press release said that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made a surprise inspection of the State Disaster Management Control Room located at the Secretariat and got information regarding the situation of heavy rains in the state. CM Dhami instructed the officials to be ready for any emergency situations in the districts where heavy rainfall has been reported. He instructed the officers to always be in alert mode for disaster relief and rescue operations, CM Dhami said. He added that efforts are being made to provide the devotees a safe and smooth darshan.
The Char Dham Yatra consists of four holy shrines: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
On the night of 16th July 2023, unanticipated heavy rainfall struck Kedarnath, a town located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The meteorological department had issued warnings days before, predicting that the region could be hit with heavy rainfall. However, nothing could have prepared the residents and the authorities for the disaster that followed. In just a few short hours, the entire town found itself submerged under the water. The relentless downpour caused deadly landslides, destroying numerous buildings, homes, and people's livelihoods.
The devastation caused by the heavy rainfall was felt immediately. More than 200 people lost their lives as the floodwater gushed down the mountain slopes, joining the waters of the river Mandakini and engulfing the entire town. The situation was made worse by the lack of proper weather forecasting systems and inadequate disaster management preparedness. As rescue teams struggled to reach the affected areas, it became increasingly clear that the disaster was an unprecedented one.
Thousands of residents were stranded, with no access to food, water, or basic medical assistance. The floodwaters had caused other damage too, such as washing away crops, destroying livestock, and causing near-total blackouts. Almost all communication and transportation links had been severed, making rescue efforts even more difficult.
The aftermath of the disaster was marked by chaos and confusion. Schools and colleges had to be shut down for days while the authorities worked to restore some semblance of order. The Indian army and other national forces were dispatched immediately, along with local volunteers and NGOs. Helicopters and other aircraft were used to transport people stuck in inaccessible areas, and medical personnel treated the injured.
The rescue and relief operations took several days before they could show tangible results. The authorities struggled with logistical challenges, low manpower, and bad weather conditions. Additionally, the widespread destruction and multiple landslides made the task immensely complex. Nevertheless, the relief teams pressed on, and eventually, the situation began to stabilize.
As the floodwaters receded, it became clear that the devastation left in their wake would take a long time to recover from. The town's infrastructure was severely damaged, with buildings, roads, and bridges washed away. Many people lost their homes and livelihoods, while others lost family members and friends in the disaster. The economic cost of the disaster also came to light, with estimates suggesting that the relief efforts and long-term rebuilding would cost billions of dollars.
The incident of heavy rainfall and the subsequent natural disaster in Kedarnath is a wakeup call for the world. Climate change and its effects on weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable, and communities need to be better equipped to handle natural disasters. From more reliable warning systems to better disaster management preparedness and coordinated government response, all the key players must work together to mitigate the impact of these disasters.
First and foremost, there is a need for robust early warning systems that provide timely information to communities and authorities. The meteorological department must be equipped with the latest technologies to predict weather patterns more effectively and help people prepare for disasters like these. Additionally, there should be better efforts to educate people living in high-risk areas about the dangers of natural disasters and how to prepare for them.
Second, there is a critical need for better disaster management preparedness. This involves developing long-term plans, investing in infrastructure, and training personnel to manage the fallout from disasters like these. Governments. must also be willing to invest in early warning systems, build emergency shelters, and stockpile food, water, and medical equipment to deal with emergencies.
Finally, coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders are crucial to ensuring effective disaster response and mitigation. The government, NGOs, and civil society organizations must come together to develop plans and strategies to handle any situation. Public-private partnerships, innovative financing models, and technology can also help overcome some of the challenges faced by communities. In conclusion, the recent heavy rainfall and the disastrous floods in Kedarnath are a stark reminder of the need for better disaster management and preparedness. The incident highlights the urgent need for developing and implementing effective early warning systems, infrastructure, and timely response vehicles. We also need to focus on building community resilience and preparedness in the face of unforeseen natural disasters. While we cannot prevent such disasters from occurring, we can take proactive measures to mitigate their impact and save precious lives and livelihoods.
