Uttarkashi: The relentless rainfall in Uttarakhand has led to landslides and rockfall incidents throughout the state. On Tuesday night, a significant landslide occurred in Uttarkashi as boulders and debris cascaded down from Varunavat mountain. This event caused panic among the residents and brought back memories of the devastating 2003 landslide, which resulted in extensive property damage and forced many people to relocate to safer areas.
Varunavat mountain frightened again after 21 years
On Tuesday night, after 21 years, Varunavat mountain, which once altered the geography of Uttarkashi city, has once again instilled fear among the residents. On Tuesday night, boulders unexpectedly tumbled down from the mountain near residential areas, causing panic. This incident revived painful memories of the prolonged landslide that occurred in 2003.
River and streams overflowed after incessant rains
On Tuesday, after incessant rains for about three to four hours in Uttarkashi city, Gangotri highway was completely blocked and many streams have overflowed. Meanwhile, heavy boulders started tumbling down intermittently from Varunavat mountain, due to which many families in the Gofiara area came out of their homes in panic. At the same time, two-wheelers parked on the road got buried under the debris due to the overflowing of a Ganga in the Gofiara area. People living nearby are scared due to the increase in water in the stream.
Devastating landslide in 2003
Uttarkashi city is situated in the foothills of Varunavat mountain between Asi and Varuna rivers. The Varunavat mountain landslide in Uttarkashi occurred on September 23, 2003. This disaster caused significant damage, with debris slides and rock falls continuing for about two weeks. The landslide was triggered by incessant rainfall and affected the town severely, blocking the pilgrim route to Gangotri and leading to the evacuation of thousands of people. Fortunately, there were no casualties due to timely evacuations, but the property damage was extensive. Many multi-storey buildings on Bhatwadi Road were razed to the ground in that landslide.
A large population was shifted from the dangerous area
After the 2003 landslide incident, a large population was shifted from the dangerous area to safer places. Now after about 21 years, people are scared again due to the falling of boulders from Varunavat mountain. During that time, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had given a budget of more than Rs 250 crore for security works. This budget was used in the treatment of Varunavat mountain. Although minor incidents of debris falling have happened many times in the last 21 years, on Tuesday night, people are scared due to the sudden incident of boulder and landslide for a long time.