Rains cause damage at Yamunotri

Rains continued to cause damage in parts of the state with Yamunotri in Uttarkashi being the place where considerable damage was reported on Tuesday. According to the official sources, at about 3:20 AM, rising level of water in the Yamuna river following rain damaged a 15 metre steel girder bridge and about 30 metre stretch of the bridle path to Yamunotri. About nine shops and four eateries were damaged while a Dharmshala was also partially damaged. Five electricity poles and the supply line between Ram temple and Yamunotri shrine were damaged which led to disruption of power supply till it was reportedly restored by evening. While other bridges at Yamunotri were being used, alternate bridle paths were being used with the assistance of the State Disaster Response Force and the police. Meanwhile, the Public Works Department had deployed 13 workers to restore the damaged bridle path. The national highway to Gangotri is open for small and large vehicles while the national highway to Yamunotri is open for traffic upto Jankichatti. Pilgrims going to Yamunotri are being made to use the alternate bridle path- Trikhli-Kulshala-Shayanachatti. In Chamoli district, 17 families affected by the cloudburst in Ghat Tehsil were provided Rs 3,800 per family, eight tents and 20 sheets for shelter. All the affected families have also been provided five kilogrammes each of wheat and rice along with two litre kerosene per family. A total of 27 rural motor roads are blocked in the district with efforts underway to open them. In Pithoragarh district a total of 295 members of 77 disaster affected families are reportedly in relief camps. A total of 16 roads are blocked in the district.