Rishikesh: Torrential rainfall and a cloudburst in Uttarkashi have led to a sharp rise in the water level of the River Ganga, which has now reached the revered Shiva idol at the Aarti Sthal of Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh.
Pankaj Kumar Dwivedi, an employee of the Ashram, confirmed that the water level has surged beyond the danger mark following the cloudburst incident on Tuesday. He described the situation as serious and urged people to exercise caution.
“Due to the cloudburst in Uttarkashi, the Ganga’s water level at Parmarth has risen dramatically. The Shiva idol is now partially submerged. For safety, we’ve locked all entrances to the ghats and restricted access to the riverbanks,” Dwivedi told.
He added, “This is a tragic situation. We must all stay vigilant and support one another during this time.”
In response to the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a disaster management meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to review the situation in Uttarkashi’s Dharali area, which was severely affected by flash floods.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with CM Dhami, expressing concern over the disaster and taking stock of ongoing relief and rescue operations. According to an official statement, the Chief Minister assured the Prime Minister that all government agencies are working in full coordination to provide timely assistance to those affected, despite challenges posed by the continuous heavy rainfall.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and residents are urged to stay away from riverbanks and follow safety advisories.
