Heavy rain brings death, destruction 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 16
Twenty-seven persons were killed and three others injured in incidents of cloudburst and heavy rains that lashed Uttarakhand in the last two days. Several houses were damaged and livestock washed away in the rains even as relief and rescue operations are underway.

A team carries out rescue operations; and a body taken out of a collapsed house in Dehradun on Sunday. Tribune photos: Vinod Pundir

Twelve persons died in Pauri Garhwal district while seven persons were killed in Dehradun. One person died in Pithoragarh district.

Nearly four cloudbursts occurred in Pauri starting from the evening of August 14. In Yamkeshwar tehsil of Pauri district, three persons died in Diyuli and Dhamanda villages while two other persons died in Dibogi village. Two houses were flattened. As many as 16 livestock also perished in the debris here.

In Kaljikhal block in Pauri district, two persons died in Naudi village. Two houses were destroyed here and 4 livestock lost their lives when they were buried under debris. In Dwarikhal block of Lansdowne tehsil of Pauri district, in village Parsoli, two persons lost their lives while four other persons died in Simli Kuti. Two persons were injured in this block, where four houses were destroyed.

A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall killed seven persons including four women in Dehradun when three houses were buried in mud and rocks brought down by incessant downpour in the wee hours of Saturday.

The incident occurred at Kathbangala in Rajpur police station area around 2 am early Saturday morning as the city witnessed continuous heavy rainfall for the last 48 hours. According to police officers, rubble fell on three houses occupied by different families.

“We have pulled out seven bodies including those of four women from debris after carrying out relief and rescue operation for more than 4 hours. One woman with critical injuries was rescued from the debris and was rushed to Doon Hospital,” said Rajesh Shah, in charge, Rajpur police station. Meanwhile, the victims have been identified as Lakwinder, Shubham, Soni, Shilpa, Bathuram, Cheema Devi and Khushi Gurung, residents of Kathbangala. All of them were asleep when the disaster occurred. The rescue operation continued till Saturday afternoon to ascertain that no other person was trapped beneath the rubble.

Former general secretary of DAV PG College, Anil Rawat, was swept away in a swollen seasonal drain near Raipur police station on the night of August 13. The accident occurred when he tried to cross the overflowing seasonal rivulet on his bike. Anil Rawat is still missing while his bike was found some 1 km downstream from the site where the accident occurred.

“An FIR has been registered in the incident and a Sub Inspector-rank officer has started investigation in the missing case,” said a Raipur police station officer.

Two persons died in Kaulagarh area of Dehradun. The injured woman has been admitted to Doon Hospital for treatment. Several huts in the Doiwala tehsil were also washed away in rainwaters. A number of houses were damaged in Maldevta area of Raipur block of Dehradun where two persons were also reported missing, when they were reportedly washed away in rainwaters. Another person died in Pithoragarh district in a rain-linked incident. Meanwhile, 103 persons were rescued from Baragarh village in Yamkeshwar with assistance from two helicopters. 

Deadly floods

• Twenty-seven persons were killed and three others injured in incidents of cloudburst and heavy rains that lashed Uttarakhand in the last two days. Several houses were damaged and livestock washed away in the rains .
• Twelve persons died in Pauri Garhwal district while seven persons were killed in Dehradun. One person died in Pithoragarh district.
• A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall killed seven persons, including four women in Dehradun, when three houses were buried in mud and rocks brought down by incessant downpour. 

Governor, CM mourn deaths 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 16
Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi has expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in incidents of cloudburst in the state. In a message, Qureshi while expressing condolences to the bereaved families also prayed for the early recovery of those injured in cloudbursts.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat has also mourned death and destruction in the state due to continuous heavy rains. He said his government would do everything to help the affected people. 

1 drowns in Munsiyari

Pithoragarh, August 16
Maniram, a resident of Hokra village in Munsiyari subdivision, was swept away while his two companions were injured at Birthi today when they were trying to cross a swollen local rivulet amid heavy rain. “The number of casualties during the monsoon in the district has risen to 9,” said RS Rana, District Disaster Management Officer.

Rana added over 25 internal roads and portions of the Tanakpur to Tawaghat highway remained blocked for the last 24 hours due to landslides triggered by heavy rains. “Sixteen persons, most of them from Tayalbagar in Berinag subdivision, were displaced in the last 20 hours and they were given 17 tents as temporary shelters,” he said. Rana said 113 houses had been damaged due to heavy rains this year while a local rivulet washed away 3 acres of cultivable land at Tayalbagar in Berinag subdivision last week. “We have distributed Rs 30 lakh as compensation to the affected families of the district,” he added.— OC

15 houses damaged in Mussoorie
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 16
The overnight heavy rains damaged eight houses completely and seven partially at Chifon Court due to falling boulders and mud-debris triggered by heavy rains in Mussoorie today. Former MC president OP Uniyal was the first to reach Chiffon Court and arranged food and other necessary material for the victims.

Later, MC president Manmohan Singh Mall and other local officials reached the site and made makeshift arrangements The residents said that they had suffered in last year’s rain too and were promised rehabilitation but nothing has been done. The Dehradun-Mussoorie road was also blocked near Bhatta village due to the landslides accompanied by mud-debris early morning today.

Fleecing by hoteliers and guest houses continued as several hoteliers charged Rs 8,000 per room. District Tourism oOficer Yogendar Gangwar said he had received complaints of fleecing and raids would be conducted to curb the menace. 

High alert sounded in Haridwar, Doon 
32 persons saved by NDRF in KalashIya village
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 16
Due to incessant rain for the past two days in the upper reaches of Garhwal, the level of the Ganga in Rishikesh and Haridwar crossed the danger mark. High alert has been sounded in the region after the Ganga crossed the 341.50 metre mark in Rishikesh and 294 metre mark at the Neel Dhara Central Water Commission observatory in Haridwar, inundating slums at Bairagi Camp, Chandi Ghat and Neel Dhara.

District Disaster Officer Dr Naresh Chaudhari said the rescue operation was on in Lakshar where Balawali, Sherpur Bela, Dallawala, Rayasi, Gangdaspur and Kalashiya villages were the worst hit.

“We are providing ration, medical aid and packed food to the residents while the National Disaster Response Force is evacuating the villagers. In past four years, floods have ravaged the region,” said Chaudhari.

District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan has directed officials to provide compensation to the victims within two days and has ordered to provide additional boats to the rescue teams.

ADM (Finance) Ravneet Chima and SDM Maya Dutt Joshi have been directed to camp in Lakshar tehsil to monitor the rescue operations. Senior Superintendent of Haridwar Police Dr Sadanand Date, SP (City) Dr Surjeet Singh Pawar, CO (City) Chandra Mohan Singh, CO (Sadar) Rajesh Bhatt, SP (Rural) Parmendra Dobhal are monitoring the flood situation.

Apart from the NDRF and the SDRF, the Bengal Engineering Group sappers have been roped in for the rescue efforts at Rayasi, Lakshar and Khanpur. A portion of the bridge connecting Chilla on the border of Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar was damaged due to heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav has issued a high alert and instructed officials to move people residing near riverbanks in case the water level in rivers and rivulets in the district rise due to heavy rains.

The District Magistrate at a meeting with the officials concerned here today said stay and medical arrangements had been made at Shivaji Dharamshala, Aggarwal Dharamshala and Jain Dharamshala. “Mobile units have also been set up to reach affected places in case of any emergency. An advisory has been issued to people to vacate dwellings near riverbanks and rivulets. Teams will be formed to keep an eye on the rise in the water level in rivers and timely shift residents from the affected areas,” he said.

Landslides strike Saklana Patti

Mussoorie, August 16
The continuous heavy rains lashing the region for the past 36 hours has wrought havoc resulting in landslides at several places, damaging property and disrupting electricity and water supplies, instilling fear among the residents in and around Mussoorie. Ragad village in Saklana Patti of district Tehri was the worst hit as four houses were completely submerged in the mud debris due to landslidest triggered by heavy rains today.

Lamkandey village in Saklana Patti suffered immensely due to the cloudburst as more than 50 families residing here anticipating further landslides fled and have taken shelter in Maroda village as a precautionary measure. At Bahkhuti village three houses were damaged — TNS

Patriotic fervour marks I-Day celebrations
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 16
Patriotic fervour hung in the air as city’s schools celebrated 68th Independence Day with enthusiasm, patriotism and gaiety in Dehradun on August 15. Flag hoisting ceremonies along with cultural programmes based on patriotic themes were organised in various schools in the city.

Independence Day was celebrated at the various institutions of Sri Guru Ram Rai (SGRR) Education Mission. The programme begun with flag hoisting ceremony, which was followed by address of education mission’s authorised signatory manager G.S. Rana. In his address to the gathering, he said that it is the prime duty of the educational institutions to prepare such students who can become the role models of best citizens in society.

Similarly, the students at the Indian Academy celebrated Independence Day with great enthusiasm. The programme started with the unfurling of the National Flag by the chairman of the school followed by a special cultural programme, which paid tributes to the sacrifices of the freedom fighters.

The day was celebrated at the Indian Cambridge School with school children unfurling of the Tricolor and school choir singing the National Anthem. The school students gave speeches on the occasion urging the need for youth to rise up and take the country forward, rather than being involved in petty strife and chaos.

The atmosphere was patriotic at the Aryan School premises with students displaying performances on patriotic songs.

Governor unfurls flag at Raj Bhavan

On the occasion of Independence Day, Governor Aziz Qureshi hoisted the National Flag and paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and freedom fighters during a function organised at Raj Bhavan yesterday.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said we must remember the struggle and sacrifices of the heroes of the freedom movement. He referred to the words of the first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, who had said that till the time there was even one tear in the eyes of humanity, our struggle would have to go on.

“For rebuilding the nation, we would have to rise above all differences and dedicate ourselves to development while being cautious of all anti-social and separatist forces. The welfare of the common people must be kept in mind and only then could we be successful in protecting our Independence,” he said.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat unfurled the national flag during a function organised at Parade Ground on the occasion of Independence Day.

In his address, Rawat said the struggle for the Independence had been a motivational force for other countries to reclaim their freedom.

District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav hoisted the Tricolour during a function organised at District Collectorate. Addressing officials and staff, the DM said they should execute their duties with dedication and honesty.

The Forest Research Institute celebrated the 68th Independence Day with Dr GS Gaurya, Deputy Director General Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, hosting the National Flag at the lawns of the institute’s building.

Dr Gaurya exhorted the employees to take forward the works of the FRI to new heights. He said researches in the forestry must be aimed to benefit farmers and other stakeholders. He asked employees to ensure that FRI’s sprawling campus was clean and devoid of any dirt.

Celebrations in Mussoorie

Mussoorie: The inclement weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of citizens as the 68th Independence Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour in Mussoorie on Friday.

Municipal Council president Manmohan Singh Mall, chief guest at the main function held at the Gandhi Chowk, Library Bazaar, along with former MLA Mussoorie Jot Singh Gunsola, unfurled the national flag amid heavy rains that lashed the town the entire day. The national anthem was sung by schoolchildren from various schools. This was followed by patriotic songs by Mussoorie International School. Five persons were felicitated for their exemplary service in the field of social work.

Schoolchildren, braving heavy rains, marched from their respective schools to Gandhi Chowk to participate in the Independence Day festivities here. However, most of the schoolchildren were completely drenched in rain due to mismanagement on the part of organisers as most tents installed were leaking in several places here.

Villagers at Dolsi village in Thatyud block of Tehri district were elated as the national flag was unfurled by the village’s senior-most citizen Poornanand, 88.

The function was organised by villagers Sachin Lekhwar and Priyanka.

Children from the village presented several patriotic songs and speeches on the occasion.

The Divine Light Trust, in association with Paramhans Yogananda Sarwangeen Gram Utthan Yojna, dedicated a lightning conductor to villagers.

Functions in Haridwar

Haridwar: The 68th Independence Day was celebrated with fervour in Haridwar with many functions organised in the district.

Haridwar District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan hoisted the flag at Roshanabad collectorate office. SSP Sadanand Date unfurled the Tricolour at Roshnabad police lines and took part in a plantation drive.

Kisan Pension Yojna launched
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 16
The Kisan Pension Yojna, announced by the state government, was launched in the district on the occasion of 68th Independence Day yesterday. The District Magistrate gave certificates of a one and half month’s pension transferred to the accounts of over 110 farmers.

According to a press note issued by the district information officer, Pithoragarh, District Magistrate HC Semwal hoisted the national flag at the district office and later took part in a plantation and sanitation programme specially organised on the occasion. “Fruits were distributed among patients in the district hospital, while the local sports office organised a cross country race and local schools held a prabhat pheri,” said the press note.

A meeting of people from all sections of society chaired by former Didihat MLA and veteran Congress man Gopal Dutt Ojha was also organised at the Pithoragarh zila panchayat hall. It discussed gains of Independence and works to be done for the poor.