Uttrakhand flash flood: Ganga water level surges in Rishikesh; touches Shiva idol at Parmarth Niketan, ghats sealed

NEW DELHI: The water level of the River Ganga surged alarmingly at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh on Wednesday, touching the feet of the Shiva idol at the ashram’s Aarti Sthal, following a cloudburst and flash flood in Uttarkashi district. Ashram staffer Pankaj Kumar Dwivedi said to news agency ANI, the sudden rise in water levels was linked to the cloudburst in the upper catchment of the Kheer Ganga river, which triggered devastating flash floods in Dharali village. "The Ganga has risen well above the danger mark. Even the Shiva idol is starting to submerge," he added, all ghats have been closed to the public and riverbank access has been restricted for safety. “This is a major tragedy. We must stay alert and help others,” he said. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre to assess the situation in Uttarkashi.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the CM and reviewed ongoing rescue and relief efforts. According to an official statement, the CM assured the Prime Minister that all agencies are working in close coordination to reach the affected people, despite challenges posed by persistent rainfall and difficult terrain.