DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand remains under a red alert with warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts, as the monsoon continues to unleash devastation in the hill state.
The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert till August 12 for Pauri Garhwal, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Bageshwar, and Nainital.
Additionally, schools have been shut in view of the situation, and people are advised to stay indoors.
Since last week, incessant rainfall has led to widespread destruction, including two cloudbursts in Uttarkashi and one in Pauri Garhwal.
An entire village was washed away in Uttarkashi's Dharali region near Harsil. Multiple residents are reported missing, and large-scale rescue operations are underway.
Personnel from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, police, and local administration are battling the hostile weather to rescue those stranded.
Rescue and relief teams are working around the clock to reach the worst-hit regions despite difficult terrain and damaged infrastructure.
In Pauri Garhwal district, a cloudburst in the Pabau and Thalisain blocks on Wednesday claimed several lives and caused extensive damage to houses, roads, and bridges, Garhwal MP Anil Baluni confirmed.
The Pauri District Magistrate confirmed that the administration has been actively engaged in relief and rescue efforts since the disaster struck.