Rain blocks 135 roads in Uttarakhand

As many as 135 roads in Uttarakhand have been damaged and blocked due to continuous rains in the past one week, officials said on Monday.

The routes of the annual pilgrimage -- Chaar Dhaam Yatra, which includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath, have also been blocked off and on, an official said, adding that most rivers in the hill state were in spate.

Of the link roads that have been damaged, the maximum (34) are in Uttarkashi, 23 in Tehri, Paudi (21), Dehradun (17), Chamoli (15), Bagheshar (8), six each in Champawat and Almora, four in Haridwar and one in Nainital.

Pinder, Kali, Mandakini, Bhagirathi, Alaknanda and Ganga rivers are flowing near the danger mark and can breach it any time, officials said following which people living in low-lying areas and near the river banks have been asked to shift to safer places.

Regional Met Director Vikam Singh said rains would continue over this week and light to moderate rains would take place in most parts of the state on Tuesday and Wednesday.

--IANS

md/pgh/